March 1, 2011
Dear Friends:
The monarch overwintering season is now close to its end. Almost daily, butterflies fill the sky over town and we wonder if some are beginning their migration. The winter is definitely over for us now, and we are feeling how much warmer the days are becoming.
As a way to say farewell to the monarchs, Angangueo has a cultural festival every year. It takes place over three weekends as the monarch's departure approaches.
Here are photos of our traditional dances of the Purépecha region. (The Purépecha Indians are the native people of this region and in most of Michoacán.)
The dances are incredibly colorful and the music is usually quite lively. These photos show:
- A spirited dance of our region in which the man courts the woman in different ways until he is able to get her love.
- A play in which different stories of our town are remembered.
- Perhaps the most beautiful Purépecha dancing we have ever seen, both in music, dancing and magnificent costume. Something to be proud of from our cultural roots!
Now that it's March, we are experiencing the effects of our long dry season. Until the rainy season begins in June, many regions in México, including ours, suffer from a shortage of water. Here some pictures to show you:
The rivers running in Angangueo have very little water in them from November to May.
Mario and Armando show us how dry our region is this season. (By the way, these children attend the Pedro Ascencio School and are participating in Journey North.)
Water is stored at home in different ways, either in big plastic containers...
...or in the traditional wood-canoes that are hand made by our parents or grand-parents.
Some families have become more conscious about the importance of conserving water. However, in our society and we have a long way to go on this. Part of my conservation message when visiting schools includes exactly this point. So, in addition to making our cultural exchange about customs and traditions, we also deliver a "green" message for our children.
Very soon I hope to have news for you to confirm that the monarchs are on their way north, to your house from my house! Until then...
Your friend in Angangueo,
Estela Romero
Angangueo, Michoacán
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Conserving Water Amy, Karla y César show the different ways in which some families now attempt to reuse water left after washing clothes, in order to help save water. |
As a way to say farewell to the monarchs, Angangueo has a cultural festival every year.
Here are photos of our traditional dances of the Purépecha region.
The dances are incredibly colorful and the music is usually quite lively.
The rivers running in Angangueo have very little water in them from November to May.
Mario and Armando show us how dry our region is this season.
Water is stored at home in different ways, either in big plastic containers...
...or in the traditional wood-canoes that are hand made by our parents or grand-parents.
