| Mexico
celebrates Easter (Pascua) with great passion. In 2012 Holy Week
is celebrated April 1-8. Easter Week (Semana de Pascua) is the week
afterward.
CARNIVAL
Easter season traditionally begins with Carnival, a holiday that
can begin up to two weeks before the beginning of Lent (Cuaresma).
Carnival is a time of rich living and rich eating. The word 'Carnival'
is derived from 'carne' or meat.
Mazatlán
is home to the third-largest Carnival celebration in the world after
those in Rio
de Janeiro and New
Orleans. Attracting more than 400,000 people, the event features
singing and dancing. Veracruz
City hosts the second-largest carnival in Mexico, followed by
Merida
and Cozumel.
In Oaxaca's Teotitlán
del Valle, Carnival is celebrated the week after Easter.
LENT
Lent (Cuaresma) represents the 40 days Christ
spent in the desert.
Ash Wednesday (Miércoles de Ceniza) is
the first day of Lent.
Fridays (Viernes Cuaresmas) are celebrated in
Oaxaca City with a local tradition of young men giving young women
flowers early in the morning in El
Llano Park.
Samaritan Day (Dia
Samaritana) is a custom in Oaxaca City celebrated on the
fourth Friday in Lent. Free refreshments are offered to passersby.
Churches, businesses, schools and government offices offer traditional
fruit drinks, including horchata, jamaica, tamarindo and local favorite
chilacayote.
Friday
of Sorrows (Viernes de Dolores) is a day of great devotion
in Oaxaca City, celebrated on the sixth Friday in Lent, one week
before Good Friday. The tradition dates to the Colonial period when
priests consecrated a chapel to the Virgen de los Dolores. Altars
are built in public areas, markets, homes and churches to commemorate
the pain of the Virgin Mary. Altars are decorated with seedlings,
straw flowers and chia pets.
HOLY WEEK (SEMANA
SANTA)
During Holy Week (Semana Santa), worshippers participate in reenactments
of the Passion, from Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem to his crucifixion
and resurrection.
Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) takes its name
from Jesus' entry into Jerusalem where crowds laid palms at his
feet. Outside churches, weavers create and sell elaborate woven
fronds which are later hung on doors of homes to ward off evil.
Holy Wednesday (Miercoles Santo) Zaachila celebrates
Holy Wednesday by decorating the city churches with vegetatation
carried to town from the Sierra. Check out the video Miercoles
Santo by Erick Igari
Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo)
commemorates the Last Supper shared by Jesus with his disciples
and Jesus' betrayal by Judas. In Oaxaca City, it's a tradition to
visit
seven churches.
Good Friday (Santo Viernes) commemorates the trial,
crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. Silent processions are
held in city streets.
Easter Saturday (Sabado Santo) commemorates the
day in which Jesus rested in the grave. Some communities celebrate
by burning paper maché effigies of Judas.
Easter Sunday (Domingo de Resurrección or Pascua)
commemorates the resurrection of Jesus.
EASTER WEEK (SEMANA DE PASCUA)
Easter Week (Semana de Pascua)
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