The Zapotecs celebrate the winter solstice with a pilgrimage to the beachside chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross of Guzebenda (in Spanish, “Guzebenda” means “to go fishing” or “the action of fishing”).
The Guzebenda passion pilgrimage takes place every year on the third Saturday in December and is one of the most important and sacred sites for the Zapotecs. It is a longstanding tradition among generations of Juchitecos. It serves as a way of life for many, whether seeking blessings and bountiful fishing, expressing gratitude for a prosperous season, fulfilling religious obligations, or simply following ancestral customs. This pilgrimage is widely recognised as one of the largest, with a majority of devotees hailing from the Seventh District of Juchitán, Oaxaca.
On Saturday 16 December, following the tradition, the annual pilgrimage to the Holy Cross of Guzebenda took place. The team from the Nacanu’ Bií Community Centre took part in this celebration, which began at 5:00 am on Avenida Ignacio Zaragoza between Calle Constitución and Calle Libertad in the seventh district, starting from the Casa de los Mayordomos (House of the Stewards) together with José Regalado López and Yestina Santiago Martínez, who welcomed the community into their home with coffee and bread.
Participants actively covered the 12-kilometre route on foot, making stops at 24 posadas along the way. The hosts provided typical food and drink from the region for everyone accompanying the Holy Cross. The journey continued until they reached the chapel near the Bií Hioxo wind farm.
The times are measured because the Xuanas (the wise adults) mention that the sun must be aligned over the cross during this act, as a spiritual ritual of this festival.
On reaching the totem of the Holy Cross, 7 stations (prayers) are performed in which the two crosses from the village are joined with the third cross from the chapel by the sea, symbolising the union of father and mother with the child.
The three crosses then make their way to the Chapel of the Fishermen’s Holy Cross, where they welcome all pilgrims with food, drink and music from the region. This celebration lasts until the next day in the afternoon.
GPG Mexico, guided by the Social Relationship model, places great importance on respecting and promoting the local idiosyncrasies of the communities in which we operate. We are dedicated to participating in initiatives that foster the preservation of culture and uphold the value of Zapotec ideology.