Candlemas Day

The celebration, which begins on the 31st January, includes events such as “La Cabalgata”, which is a horse ride during which numerous couples proudly wear their traditional Jarocho costumes and jewelry such as necklaces, emerald earrings and tortoiseshell decorative combs. The procession is escorted by a wind instrument band, usually from the Antón Lizardo Naval School.

The “Día de Toros” (Day of the Bulls) is also traditional, it’s similar to the Pamplonada, and it is typical to enjoy the evenings with jarana (Mexican guitar) music and traditional fandango. In the “Mojiganga” parade you will see a satire of everyday life through the use of characters made of paper.

On the 2nd of February, the parishioners come together from early on to sing Las Mañanitas (Mexican happy birthday song) to the Virgin with flowers, and accompany her on her pilgrimage on land that goes from the church all the way to the pier; there she embarks on a striking journey through the waters of Papaloapan, where they take her upstream on a long pilgrimage of boats, which guard over her with praise and devotion.

The Virgen de la Candelaria substituted the pre-Hispanic deity of fertility; however, the fervor of obtaining good harvests, abundant fish and good weather in general during these days has been conserved.