The dance of the milpa

Chiepetepec, Guerrero. In the Montaña zone of southern state of Guerrero, women participate every september 28th in a ritual to show gratitude for the rainy season that let the corn be harvested.

On the streets they walk until they climb the Tlatlatzohuaya, known also as "Cerro de la Cruz" (Hill of the Cross) where they put an offering with flowers and candles and put a statuette of San Miguel Arcangel in a small chapel. Only one man is authoriced to be there: the tlamaketl or “the one who knows”.

For some hours, women dance with their crops of corn adorned with flowers and bread painted red, as musicians and men manipulate fireworks around.

In front of the sun, pointing at the east, the tlamaketl prays and turns into the four cardinal points as he takes flowers and wet them in water. In the homes, people share their food, like tamales, aguardiente, mole and tortillas for all and every house has an offering with crop tools, bread, flowers and stamps.

That is how the ritual of fertility begins...

Photo and story by Prometeo Lucero