Cuaresma (Lent), February - March

A religious celebration rooted in the Catholic church that lasts for forty days. It is based on the idea of abstinence. Lent was introduced into Mexico by the Spaniards. “On Ash Wednesday lovers take leave of love until Saturday of Glory when they love again.” This verse sung by the primitive Otomi expresses the Catholic command to abstain. In Mexico, Lent is not as strict as it is in some other Catholic countries. Various regions throughout Mexico hold individual festivals, some are celebratory others are strictly religious. Many make pilgrimages to the holy shrine in Chalma, and the Ahuethuete tree, where miracles are said to have happened. These slides document processions, dances, costumes, churches, ephemera, fairs, bull baitings, cockfights, fireworks displays, and other traditions associated with this festival as celebrated in these various villages and towns.

These slides are housed in Library Storage Facility (LSF) Container F and Container G.

A descriptive narrative of these slides is found on audiocassettes #3 side B and #4 side A, which are housed in LSF Container RR.