On December 2nd, the annual pilgrimage in honour of the Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) of Guelabe’ñe’ took place with participation by the team at Casa Comunitaria Nacanu’ Bií.
The celebration began at 6 am in Callejón Santa Martha, a street in Section 7, at the Casa de los Mayordomos, the starting point for the 12 km route. Along the way, stops were made at 11 posadas, places at which hosts shared typical food and drink of the region with all the people who travelled with the cross throughout the journey, until it arrived at the destination sanctuary at close to 3 pm. This sanctuary is a chapel located on the grounds of the Bií Hioxo wind farm, where, in addition to being granted free passage, participants are accompanied by a security detail. Moreover, contributions are made annually by the company to help with improvements to it and to the other two ancestral sanctuaries also located on the same property.
A very diverse range of celebrations take place In Juchitán throughout the year, with festivities honouring saints and ancient deities of the Zapotec worldview.
This is the case of the Holy Cross of Guelabe’ñe’, which in the Zapotec language means ‘Lord lizard’. This is one of the most eagerly awaited celebrations in the region as it is the only pilgrimage site dedicated to what for the Zapotec people is considered a sacred animal, or totem, mainly by people who have dedicated their lives to the countryside.
