Feria de Huamantla Huamantla

section of carpet laid out on streets of city

the main cultural event of year in huamantla feria de huamantla (huamantla fair) runs 31 july 21 august. origin due worship of goddess xochiquetzal, goddess of love, flowers , arts. after conquest, spanish encouraged veneration of virgin mary instead. in 17th century, franciscans built hermitage our lady of assumption. image found here today has unknown origins has since become associated miracles. feria attracts thousands of visitors both mexico , abroad.

this image better known our lady of charity (virgen de la caridad). there 2 main events during months, creation of “carpets” colored sawdust, flowers , other materials , running of bulls called huamantlada. carpets made in atrium of image’s basilica , other churches 31 15; however, 6 km of carpets created on “the night no 1 sleeps,” of august 14, working night in preparation main procession image on august 15. before procession begins, image dressed in new robes , image followed entourage candles , fireworks.

the huamantlada held on august 19. first event occurred in 1954 , has since grown in popularity. based on running of bulls in pamplona , called “pamplonada”. first run had 7 bulls has since grown in number twenty five. running of bulls more dangerous animals released streets 2 directions. event famous of kind in mexico.

during month there donkey , car races, children’s version of running bulls, parade floats, feria queen, paella festival, cockfights, chess tournament , festival international de títeres rosete aranda.

during month , other traditional festivals 1 can see traditional dances such ketzalines, vaqueros, vasarios , matlachines danced bands playing wind instruments, , traditional dress, of otomi origin. men, consists of white pants , shirt, embroidered figures , fretwork. women consists of heavily embroidered colorful skirt, embroidered blouse , rebozo . typical foods include mixiotes, barbacoa, mole turkey, tocatlán style chicken along crystallized fruit , dessert item called “muégano.”