Happy Easter

Tomorrow is Easter and I'd like to share with you some of the ways that Easter is celebrated in Oaxaca.  Some of the ways are much like in the U.S. but others are unique to Oaxaca.

Every Friday during Lent, Oaxacan young people participate in the "Paseo de los Viernes de Cuaresma".  The young women walk in a circle through the park while the young men walk in the opposite direction while throwing flowers at their favorite girl.  The winner is the young lady who collects the most flowers.

The fourth Friday of Lent is the Dia de la Samaritana - Day of the Samaritan woman- This tradition is based on the Bible story where Jesus asks for water from the woman at the well.  Churches, businesses, schools and governement offices offer fruit flavored water to anyone passing by.  This year, the North Park University mission trip group got to experience this tradition.

During Semana Santa (Holy Week) all schools are closed and many business are closed or have limited hours.  Semana Santa is a popular week for vacations.

One of the more unusual traditions is held in the town of Xoxocotlan (near Oaxaca City) every Tuesday during Lent.  It is called Noches de Brujas - literally translated as Nights of the Witches.  Oddly enough this tradition has nothing to do with witches.  It has its origins in the 18th century when a Roman Catholic church was being constructed.  People worked night shifts while women prepared tamales for their meals.  At daybreak, "witches" or tin containers were lit for light and the meal was shared.

The day before Palm Sunday, artisans make fans, figures, etc. out of palms.  These figures are purchased and taken to the church on Palm Sunday to be used in the Palm Sunday celebration.  Some of the figures are very elaborate.  On Palm Sunday there are many neighborhood processions with people waving palms.

Maundy Thursday or the Thursday before Easter is celebrated much as it is in the U.S.   There are communion and foot washing services in the churches.  What is unique to Oaxaca is that it is a tradition to visit the seven most important Oaxacan churches on this day.

Good Friday is one of the most important days of the Lenten season with countless towns across Mexico re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  Citizens vie for the privilege of having the role of Jesus.  Even Mexican prisoners do a re-enactment.

Unique to Oaxaca is the Silent Procession.  This is held on Good Friday at dusk.  The procession is done in total silence.  Drums play an ancient rhythm while various images of Jesus on the cross are held high by men dressed head to toe in white robes walking barefoot among crowds of hundreds who remain in absolute silence.

Sabado de Gloria (Holy Saturday) commenorates the day on which Jesus was in the grave.  People burn papier-mache effigies of Judas Iscariot.

Dia de la Resureccion (Easter Sunday) church bells ring as the resurrection of jesus is celebrated.  The bells begin ringing at midnight Saturday to annonce that Jesus has risen and ring all throughout the night.  

All of these customs are followed by Oaxacans in the traditional church.  Unfortunately, as in the U.S., many people only attend church on Christmas and Easter and most of these traditions are without meaning and are held only because they have always been done this way for hundreds of years. 

 Evangelical Christians, including those in Covenant churches, do not participate in the majority of these celebrations.  

Please pray that the lives of the people in Oaxaca would be touched so that they would really know the risen Lord and be able to truly celebrate Easter and the promise of eternal life.