dec 12, 2024 - Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

Description:

On this day, thousands of people make the pilgrimage to Mexico City in honour of the Virgin of Guadalupe to continue to centuries-old Catholic tradition to celebrate the miracle on Tepeyac Hill. Some make the trip to pray for their health, wealthy, or children, while others make the journey simply to honour the Virgin. The pilgrimage ends at the Basilica of Guadalupe where pilgrims hope to trade their physical pain and strife for spiritual rewards. However, the pilgrimage also transforms the Zócalo as pilgrims stage tents and Mexica dancers perform and complete rituals alongside pilgrims, while burning sage in honour of Mexica gods Tonanztin and Huitzilopochtli. This makes the pilgrimage to the Basilica both an Indigenous and colonial celebration, reflecting the complicated constructions of Mexican identity.

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