Huejotzingo

Coordinates: 19°09′43″N 98°24′23″W / 19.16194°N 98.40639°W / 19.16194; -98.40639
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Huejotzingo
City and municipality
Facade of the monastery of San Miguel Arcángel
Facade of the monastery of San Miguel Arcángel
UTC-5 (Central)
Postal code (of seat)
74160
Area code227
WebsiteWebsite

Huejotzingo (modern Nahuatl pronunciation

city of Puebla, in central Mexico. The settlement's history dates back to the pre-Hispanic period, when it was a dominion, with its capital a short distance from where the modern settlement is today. Modern Huejotzingo is located where a Franciscan monastery was founded in 1525, and in 1529, the monks moved the indigenous population of Huejotzingo to live around the monastery. Today, Huejotzingo is known for the production of alcoholic apple cider and fruit preserves, as well as its annual carnival. This carnival is distinct as it centers on the re-enactment of several historical and legendary events related to the area. The largest of these is related to the Battle of Puebla
, with about 2, 000 residents representing French and Mexican forces that engage in mock battles over four days.

Monastery of San Miguel Arcángel

View of the chapel in the northwest corner of the atrium

The Franciscans founded the monastery of San Miguel Arcángel in 1525, in an area outside of the pre-Hispanic settlement of Huejotzingo. That settlement was located on higher ground, closer to the slopes of Iztaccíhuatl, in what is now known as San Juan Loma.[1][2] Its early founding makes it one of the oldest monasteries in the Americas,[3] and one of the first four Franciscan monasteries established in New Spain.[4] It was dedicated to the Archangel Michael, who would eventually become the patron of the Spanish settlement of Huejotzingo and is the current patron of the modern municipality.[4]

The current building is the third to have been built on the site. The first was a very modest construction that lasted from 1524 to 1529. In 1529, the Franciscans under Juan de Alameda moved the indigenous settlement to an area next to the monastery. Legend states that it was because the friars were tired of making the climb to the indigenous village for evangelization purposes. It was likely, however, to take advantage of indigenous labor to construct a larger monastery.

Calpan and Cholula.[5]

The basic elements of the complex are the atrium with its corner chapels called "capillas posas," cloister, and main church. It is all constructed on a rectangular platform that measures 14,400m2 and rises six meters above the adjacent land.[2] The complex is isolated from the outside by a thick stone atrium wall topped by merlons. These merlons are repeated on the walls of the church and cloister. These merlons are not the typical European style. Their form is similar to elements found in various pre-Hispanic constructions. The thick walls, merlons and narrow windows made the complex a fortress, not only to protect the monks from hostile native populations initially, but also to provide the local community later with a shelter in case of attack.[2]

The atrium of the monastery faces west, towards the main plaza of the modern city. Between this plaza and the main access there is a small plaza. From this small plaza, one climbs a series of stairs to the atrium gate, which is an arcade of three arches with decorations in relief.[2] The atrium takes up most of the monastery grounds and is rectangular, measuring sixty meters long.[4][6] The most elaborate feature of the atrium is the four chapels embedded in each of the area's four corners, constructed around 1550. They were used for processions, especially for the storage of the Host for processions, but they were also used as chapels to serve the many indigenous of the area in the 16th century. They are elaborately decorated with the Franciscan coat of arms, cords like those worn by Franciscan monks with tassels and other symbols. This decorative feature can be seen in other parts of the complex as well.[1][6] In the center of the atrium, on the pathway between the main atrium entrance and the entrance to the church, there is an atrium cross. Most histories of the monastery, but not all, state that this atrium cross is not the original, but rather used to belong to one of the corner chapels. The cross is done in sandstone and imitates two knotty tree trunks, with a crown of thorns at the foot.[2]

Mural depicting the first twelve Franciscans in Mexico

The monastery also has associated with it a system of aqueducts to bring water here from the Xopanac River. Remnants of it can be seen today.[4]

The architecture of the large church and monastery area is a mix of medieval and Renaissance styles,[3] with Plateresque and Moorish elements standing out.[6] The Plateresque is evident in the large smooth areas with little ornamental work on the facade and north side of the church. This side has a portal decorated with leaves and thistles.[1] The entrance to the church is flanked by tall classical columns, whose capitals support a narrow cornice to form an alfiz. This is decorated with a Franciscan-style cord and seven anagrams in Greek and Latin.[4] Moorish influence is seen in the door arch of the main portal.[1]

The interior has only one nave. There are remnants of frescos on the walls, the best preserved of which show a precession of men in hoods, called "Los encapuchados" (The hooded ones).[4][6] The main altar is one of the few from the 16th century that remain in Mexico, made by Simon Pereyns. Another unusual feature is the stonework around the door to the sacristy, which forms a crisscross pattern of flowers.[1][6]

The entrance to the monastery area is on the south side of the complex's facade. It consists of two wide arches supported in the center by a large column.

INAH with Gabiel Maritano Garci as director.[7] It contains a modest collection of artworks and other artifacts from the colonial period such as baptismal fonts and religious paraphernalia as well as displays explaining the evangelization work done by the Franciscans after the Conquest.[6]

Carnival

Early parade of "zapadores" at the 2011 carnival
Main article: Carnival of Huejotzingo

The carnival of Huejotzingo is unlike any other carnival in Mexico or in the world,

Tlaloc and the "flower wars" of the same epoch. There was a festival dedicated to the rain god, but this was transformed in the colonial period into a festival with masked dancers.[4][11] Elements of the modern carnival are also said to allude to the wars, in which the objective was not to kill or conquer, but rather to capture warriors for sacrifice. The modern carnival event officially began in 1869 and has been held annually ever since.[9]

Preparations begin in January, with a formal meeting/party on the first Sunday of the year. There is masked dancing to live music. This event is called desfiguros (disfigured) or los viejitos (the little old ones). Officially, carnival begins on the weekend before Ash Wednesday. Saturday begins with a parade at about four in the afternoon. The organizers of the year's event, called generals, enter the municipal palace to have the municipal president sign a document turning over the main plaza of the town to the "general in chief." Then the other generals hang banners around the center blocks of the city to announce that carnival has begun.[9] For the next four days, people listen and dance to music, set off fireworks and more, but what makes the Huejotzingo carnival different is the reenactment of three elements of the area's history and lore, which occur repeatedly over the course of the event.[12] The first is the kidnapping of the daughter of the Corregidor by Agustín Lorenzo. The second commemorates the Battle of Puebla, and the last depicts the first marriage of Indians by Catholic rite in Latin America.[9]

The corregidor's daughter for 2011

Agustín Lorenzo was a bandit during the colonial period, whose story has since been romanticized. According to legend, he and the daughter of the Corregidor were in love. At the beginning of this reenactment, the woman who plays the daughter arrives at the municipal palace to climb up to the balcony to be kidnapped.[9] The man playing Lorenzo arrives on horseback to take the woman, climbing up a rope ladder. He descends with the woman, who is already dressed in white.[10] As the couple flees, they are pursued by lawmen also on horseback. Spectators, including those playing French and Mexican soldiers for another reenactment, generally cheer on the bandit and his bride.[12] As those on horses leave, a small hut is burned on the main plaza. This is because it is said that Lorenzo carried the woman away to his hut and the Corregidor ordered it burned.[9] The reenactment ends with the wedding of Lorenzo and the daughter by a priest and Lorenzo becomes an honest man.[10][11] While this wedding is happening, on the other side of the same plaza, another wedding takes place. This is the reenactment of the first indigenous couple to be wed with Catholic rites in the area. Tradition states it was the first of its kind on the Americas.[10]

The most extensive event is based on the Battle of Puebla, which occurred in the 19th century between French and Mexican troops in this region. For this, the residents of the four principal neighborhoods of the city are divided into four "battalions," each headed by a "general." Over all four days, these battalions, totaling about 2,000 people, participate in mock battles, firing their wooden muskets at each other, which fills the air with gunpowder smoke.[12][13] During this time, the battalions eat together and even visit the graves of former members who have died.[9][10] About thirty percent of the participants are women, who are dressed and masked as men.[9] The four battalions divide into two battalions representing the French and two battalions representing the Mexicans. However, the uniforms are not historically accurate. The "French" are costumed as Zouaves and "zapadores", which are based somewhat on French attire, but others dress as "Turks" complete with turbans. The Mexican side are costumed as "serranos," "zacapoaxtlas," and "apaches" (with headdress).[10]

Each participant pays a fee of between 300 and 500 pesos to participate, along with buying the approximately four kilos of gunpowder they will burn over the event. The generals hire the bands that play for the four days, which cost about 60,000 pesos per band over the four days. Participants also put a lot of money into the costumes that they wear. The values of garments worn can be as high as 30,000 pesos, depending on the type of garment (zacapoaxtla, traje serrano, etc.) and the quantity and quality of the adornments. All carry wooden rifles or muskets, which are also decorated.[9]

The zacapoaxtla is a shirt with loose pants made of natural cotton cloth. At the front and back they are adorned with colored stripes which are embroidered often adding sequins, beads and other elements. Added to this are white embroidered hosiery, bags that carry ammunition and/or a pistol holder. It is finished with a leather mask, which has a beard woven from real human hair.[4][12] The traje serrano consists of a black cotton shirt and pants, with an animal skin around the shoulders, a hat made of palm fronds, and huarache sandals. If worn with a pre-Hispanic headdress and jewelry, it is called a traje de apache. A zapador is an outfit with a shirt, a short blue jacket, and red baggy pants and an embroidered apron-like garment. The wearer also has a hat and a mask with mustache and beard.[4] "Turco" (Turkish) dress consists of a white shirt and pants, with a small blue vest, a turban with a peacock feather, and a mask with a mustache and beard.[14] They can also have silk capes embroidered with the images of Mexican heroes.[12]

The most important day is Tuesday, when activities begin at one or two in the morning, with a gathering of food and drink by the battalions. At around six am, the participants eat the gathered breakfast and then go to the local cemeteries to pay honor to dancers who may have died during the year. At twelve pm, parades and other events take places similar to the days before. At six pm, the battalions are officially "dismissed" and partying until midnight begins.[9]

The Carnival is extremely popular with local children, who are often seen on the streets in costume with miniature rifles.[12] The Sunday after Ash Wednesday is reserved for a "Children’s Carnival" (Carnaval Infantil). In this event, there is strict control over the use of fireworks and gunpowder to protect the children.[9]

Economy

Display of locally produced cider and fruit preserves at a store in the city

Overall, the municipality is considered to have a low level of economic marginalization, with about one third of its community considered to have a high or somewhat high level.

tejocotes.[16] The municipality contains a large number of fruit orchards, and much of the fruit is sold as preserves.[3] Livestock includes dairy and meat cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, and domestic fowl.[16] Deforestation has significantly diminished the forestry industry, and it is minimal.[14] There is a reservoir by the name of San Joaquin and a pond named San Mateo that is stocked with fish. Trout are raised on farms along the Alseseca and Xopana rivers.[16]

About 31% of the population of Huejotzingo is involved in manufacturing, mining, and construction. The traditional industries of the area are the making of alcoholic apple cider and fruit conserves and sweets.[16] Cider has been made in the municipality since 1920, when its production was started by Miguel Ortega y Rojas.[4] There are five major cider production facilities, which produce about a million and a half bottles of the beverage each year. The city used to be surrounded by apple orchards, but the construction of the airport destroyed most of them. Most apples for cider production now come from an area called Salvador El Seco.[8] The municipality has a growing industrial corridor by the name of Quetzalcoatl, along Federal Highway 190 between kilometer marks 74 and 91. It consists of four sections, which are developed as new businesses move in. The first is dedicated to metals, machinery, construction, and food processing. The second and third are still untouched brushland with plans for auto parts manufacturing in the future, and the fourth is primarily for the pharmaceutical industry. Mining is limited to the extraction of clay.[16]

About 28% of the population is involved in tourism, commerce, and services. Most commercial businesses serve local and regional needs, but they also include shops selling the area's signature cider and fruit conserves.[8][16] The municipality receives a certain amount of tourism principally due to the monastery with its museum and its annual carnival.[16]

History

The name comes from Nahuatl and means "place of small willows," as the area used to be filled with willow trees growing in area bogs and marshes.[6] Huejotzingo received its coat of arms in 1553 from Carlos V.[2] It shows a silver fortress on a red field, which has a blue flag with the Cross of Jerusalem in gold. There is also a palm tree in gold. On either side of the fortress, there are two lions. Surrounding all of this is a decorative border with five blue stars on a silver background, with the words "Carolus Quintus Hispaniarum Rex" (Latin: Charles V, King of the Spanish).[14]

This area on the slopes of Iztaccíhuatl was settled first by groups of

Tepanecas. When the two became rulers of Tenochtitlan and Texcoco, respectively, they never forgot the favor.[18] The pre-Hispanic Huejotzingo was located on high ground closer to the Iztaccihuatl volcano, possibly because of the ready supply of water and possibly because of its defensible position.[2] The area came under Aztec domination in the 15th century, but the people's relationship with the empire was poor. When the Spanish arrived, they broke Huejotzingo's ties to Tenochtitlan, and the town decided to ally itself with the Spanish against the Aztecs in 1520.[14][17]

After the

Nahuatl language.[19]

Much of the area's political history is dominated by

Texmelucan.[17] The cemetery was established in the Barrio del Carmen in 1899.[14]

For most of the 20th century, the municipal presidents came from one party, the

Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI), and two local families, which rejected industrialization and the building of highways.[18] In November 1995, elections for municipal president were held between Jesus Mensus of the PAN party and Miguel Angel Martinez Escobar of the then-nationally ruling PRI party. The PAN candidate received the largest number of votes, but PRI asserted that there were irregularities at eleven polling stations. The state electoral commission nullified the votes at these stations, which then allowed the PRI to win by 28 votes. Mensus supporters then occupied the municipal palace as talks between the two political parties broke down.[18] In May, the PAN and the protests resulted in a reconsideration of the election commission's decision and PAN was declared the winner.[20]

Geography

Huejotzingo is located on the slopes of the

masl on the far east side are part of the Valley of Puebla, more specifically the plains of Huejotzingo. Between 2,500 and 3,000 m a.s.l. are the lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada, and above this on the far west side, the territory is part of the mountain chain and the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The east side of the municipality is flat. Heading west, the land begins to rise gradually in the middle of the territory, then the altitude increases sharply on the west end, as it is the foot of the Iztaccíhuatl volcano. Near this volcano, there are a number of other elevations such as Ocotepec, Tepechichipa and Zacatalatla. The steepness of the Iztaccíhuatl volcano makes it prone to rockslides as snowmelt runs down the side, especially from a depression on the side where snow tends to accumulate, called Ayolócotl. Visible along various areas of the volcano are areas devoid of vegetation where rockslides have violently disrupted the ecology.[14]

Hydrography

The municipality belongs to the upper basin of the

Mexico State and Puebla on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. Rivers and streams generally cross the area from southwest to northwest, coming from the Sierra Nevada, and all are tributaries of the Atoyac. These include the San Diego, Cuaxupila, Pipinahuac, Alseseca, Achipitzil, Tolimpa, Losa Cipreses, Actiopa, and Xopanac. Some of these rivers and streams have suffered reduced water flow due to deforestation.[14] Today the Xopana River is mostly dry, and filled with garbage in places.[18] Some of the rivers have cut deep ravines and small canyons into the landscape, including the La Manga, Xeniqui, Ocoxaltepec, Xacatiotlapa, Hueyatitla, Tepetla, Coxocoaco, Apitzato, and Hueacaclán. The snowmelt of the volcanos feeds most of these streams and rivers, and water and snow stored in depressions on the mountain allow for river flow during the dry season. In addition, rain and snowmelt feed underground aquifers and freshwater springs.[14]

Climate

The climate of the municipality divides into three zones. The lower valley areas have a temperate semi-humid climate with rains in the summer. A somewhat cold and semi-humid climate with rains in the summer predominates at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. On the upper slopes of the volcano, the climate is cold.

Flora

Similarly, vegetation divides into three zones. The low flat areas are all given over to farmland and urban areas. The foothills area is generally characterized by forests of pine,

alpine meadow.[14]

The municipality

The small city of Huejotzingo is the local governing authority for over one hundred other named communities, which cover a territory of 188.91 km2.

San Martín Texmelucan with the State of Mexico on the west side.[14] Other major communities in the municipality include Santa María Atexcal, San Mateo Capultitlan, San Luis Coyotzingo, Santa María Nepopulaco, San Juan Pancuac, Santa María Tianguistengo, San Miguel Tianguizolco, and Santa Ana Xalmimilulco. There are municipal offices in the following communities: San Juan Pancoac, San Miguel Tianguizolco, San Luis Coyotzingo, Santa Ana Xalmimilulco, San Mateo Capultitlan, Santa Maria Atexcac, Santa Maria Nepopualco, and Santa Maria Tianguistenco.[14]

Festivals include the Feria Regional de Huejotzingo in September, Feria del Santuario de la Preciosa Sangre on the fourth Friday of Lent in Santa Ana Xalmimilulco, and the feasts of the patron saints of the following communities: Santa Ana Xalmimilulco (26 July), San Luis Coyotzingo (19 August), San Mateo Capultitlan (21 September), San Miguel Tianguizolco (29 September), Santa Maria Tianguiztenco (12 May), Santa Maria Nepopualco (5 August), San Juan Pancoac (24 June), and Santa Maria Atexcac (20 January).[22]

Just under 40% of the total municipal population of 59,822 lives in the city proper.

Nahua families, with 725 speaking an indigenous language according to the 2005 census.[14][15]

Education

The municipally has 25 preschools, 21 primary schools, ten middle schools, and four high-school-level institutions. There is also a CECATI technical and vocational school.[14] There is one major institution of higher education called the Universidad Tecnológica de Huejotzingo, which was established in the community of Santa Ana Xalmimilulco in 1998. The institution primarily offers technology-related degrees in fields such as mechanical engineering, information and communications technologies, administration and evaluation of projects, and textile industry design and production.[23]

Transportation

The

Guadalajara, and Tijuana along with Houston and Dallas in the U.S.[8] Buses and taxis connect the airport to the city of Puebla, as well as rental cars. There is parking for 230 cars, but no hotel on the premises.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "El Ex-Convento de Huejotzingo" [The Ex-monastery of Huejotzingo] (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico: Municipality of Huejotzingo. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Vicente Dueñas (November 26, 2007). "Huejotzingo, Puebla". El Sol de Puebla (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  3. ^
    ISSN 1870-9400
    .
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Atractivos Culturales y Turisticos de Huejotzingo" [Cultural and Tourist Attraction of Huejotzingo] (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico: Municipality of Huejotzingo. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  5. ^ Oscar Cid de León (June 8, 2009). "Congregan arte franciscano" [Gathering Franciscan art]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 23.
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-607-400-234-8
    .
  7. ^ "Exconvento Franciscano" [Former Franciscan monastery] (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico: Municipality of Huejotzingo. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d Ricardo Diazmunoz; Maryell Ortiz de Zarate (November 17, 2002). "Encuentros con Mexico/ En las estribaciones de la Mujer Dormida" [Encounters with Mexico/On the flanks of the Sleeping Woman]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 10.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "El Carnaval de Huejotzingo" [The Carnival of Huejotzingo] (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico: Municipality of Huejotzingo. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  10. ^
    CONACULTA
    . Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  11. ^ a b c d "Esperan 35 mil visitantes en tradicional Carnaval de Huejotzingo" [35,000 visitors expected at the traditional Carnival of Huejotzingo]. Terra (in Spanish). Mexico. Notimex/Terra. January 29, 2008. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Winningham, Geoff (February 1994). "The guns of Huejotzingo". Texas Monthly. 22 (2). Austin, Texas: 92.
  13. ^ "Estado de Puebla, Huejotzingo" [State of Puebla, Huejotzingo]. Mexico Querido (in Spanish). Mexico City: Editur Mexico. 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Huejotzingo". Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México Puebla (in Spanish). Mexico: Instituto Nacional para el Federalismo y el Desarrollo Municipal. 2009. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Municipio de Huejotzingo" [Municipality of Huejotzingo]. Catalogo de Localidades (in Spanish). Mexico: Unidad de Microrregiones Direccion General Adjunta de Planeaciòn Microrregional. 2008. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g "Actividades economicas del municipio de Huejotzingo" [Economic activities of the municipality of Huejotzingo] (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico: Municipality of Huejotzingo. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "La fundación de Huejotzingo, Origen e Historia" [The foundation of Huejotzingo, Origin and History] (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico: Municipality of Huejotzingo. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  18. ^ a b c d e f Cesar Romero Jacobo (March 4, 1996). "Huejotzingo, ayer y hoy: Corria el ano de 1562..." [Huejotzingo, yesterday and today: Since the year 1562]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 6.
  19. ^ "Chavero Codex of Huexotzingo". World Digital Library. 1578. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
  20. ^ Jose Antonio Lopez (June 16, 1996). "Frente a Frente/ Ana Teresa Aranda de Orea/ 'Doblegamos a Manuel Bartlett'" [Face to face/ Ana Teresa Aranda de Orea/ We will bend Manuel Bartlett]. El Norte (in Spanish). Monterrey, Mexico. p. 10.
  21. ^ a b "Principales resultados por localidad 2005 (ITER)". INEGI. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  22. ^ "Fiestas de Huejotzingo" [Festivals of Huejotzingo] (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico: Municipality of Huejotzingo. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  23. ^ "Ventaja de Estudiar en la UTH (Modelo educativo)" (in Spanish). Puebla: Universidad Tecnológico de Huejotzingo. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  24. ^ "Aeropuerto de Puebla" [Puebla Airport] (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico: Aeropuerto Internacional de Puebla. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  25. ^ a b "Aeropuerto de Puebla" (in Spanish). Puebla. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
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