Centeotl

The goddess Centeotl is chosen from among the candidates sent by each delegation, not for physical beauty but for her knowledge of her area's history, customs and traditions.

Guelaguetza 1999

The goddess Centeotl is chosen from among the candidates sent by each delegation, not for physical beauty but for her knowledge of her area's history, customs and traditions.

Guelaguetza 1999

Some indigenous tribes in Mexico still worship Centeotl, the Aztec corn god who protects harvests, and passions run high if any threat to corn is perceived.

Jan McGirk: Mexico's Mutant Kernels Ripen After GM Corn Ban Reversed 2010

Some indigenous tribes in Mexico still worship Centeotl, the Aztec corn god who protects harvests, and passions run high if any threat to corn is perceived.

Jan McGirk: Mexico's Mutant Kernels Ripen After GM Corn Ban Reversed 2010

Saturday July 18, 10 a.m. Final part of the contest to select the Goddess Centeotl in the Jardín El Pañuelito

Guelaguetza 1999

Centeotl then takes her seat with the governor of the state and invited dignitaries (such as the President of the Republic, King and Queen of Spain, high officials and personalities from all over the world, guests of the governor for this fabulous spectacle) and the first delegation is introduced and the celebration begins.

Guelaguetza 1999

Ancillary events have grown up around the basic two Mondays - some original indigenous traditions, especially in the villages, and some more modern innovations such as the contest to select the goddess Centeotl who presides over the festivities and the Bani Stui Gulal which is a dramatic presentation of how the Guelaguetza was celebrated in different epochs.

Guelaguetza 1999

Centeotl then takes her seat with the governor of the state and invited dignitaries (such as the President of the Republic, King and Queen of Spain, high officials and personalities from all over the world, guests of the governor for this fabulous spectacle) and the first delegation is introduced and the celebration begins.

Guelaguetza 1999

Promptly at 10 a.m., the goddess Centeotl and all the delegations are presented and parade around the stage.

Guelaguetza 1999

There are a number of official events, the most important of which are the contest to select the goddess Centeotl on the Sunday before the first Monday and the emBani Stui Gulal on the same Sunday night, plus the presentation of the Legend of Donaji on both Monday nights in the Guelaguetza Auditorium.

Guelaguetza 1999