Fiesta de San Pedro, June 24

A celebration of the patron Saint Peter, the fisherman and miracle worker, was the leader of the Apostles. Born Simon, he was renamed “Peter” (rock) by Jesus to indicate that he would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built. In San Pedro Huamelula, a five-day festival is taken up by street theatre re-enactments of the area’s turbulent history. Masked and costumed townspeople play the roles of Spanish grandees, English pirates and African slaves, all outsiders who contributed to the region’s cultural fabric. Mock battles ensue, some of them referring to violent ethnic disputes over land and property. At the heart of the celebration is a gesture of communal solidarity. At one point, a female alligator, is given citizenship and baptised, dressed in white like a bride, carried through town by the Marineros, and married off to an ususpecting groom. The Muliatas, Marineros, Turcos, and Negritos are all active participants in this celebration. These slides document musicians, dances, costumes, hats, procession, banners, churches, and other traditions associated with this festival.

These slides are housed in LSF Container T and Container U.

A descriptive narrative of these slides is found on audiocassette #8 side B, which is housed in LSF Container RR.