Residents of the Valley who have left their mark by preserving San Miguel’s traditions.

Published April 9, 2021 (sp)

Valle del Maíz has always been characterized as a community that promotes traditions, they do everything to preserve their roots and history so that their neighborhood is always highlighted.

Soledad Centeno, Leopoldo Estrada, José Antonio Luna, J. Cruz Centeno Gloria, Juan Córdova Gallegos, Ramón Godinez Estrada and Clara Centeno Gloria, are some of the members that represent the valley in the traditions of San Miguel de Allende.

Soledad Centeno (known as the captain of the valley). She was born on December 7, 1930. She is the moral and spiritual authority and captain of the traditional dance of rayados del Valle del Maíz. She is heiress of the Santa Cruz del albañil festival, which is celebrated on May 3 of each year.

José Antonio Luna. He was born on November 2, 1943. At present, with 45 years of trajectory, he promotes and foments the customs and supporting all the adolescents interested in conserving the traditions.

Leopoldo Estrada. He was born on November 15, 1950. His father was in charge of the church of El Valle, reason why he was always between the parties, dances, colloquiums and the locos, making traditional masks for them, made of cardboard and cloth or theater hats.

J. Cruz Centeno. He was born on May 3, 1957. Familiar with the traditions, he was attracted to sacred art and holy images, so he began as a sculptor and restorer, an activity he started at the age of 19.

Juan Cordova. He was born on October 18, 1959. During the patron saint festivities and the traditional entrance of the xúchiles, he is in charge of decorating the monument of the founder of San Miguel el Grande, today San Miguel de Allende (along with Eleuterio Godinez Guerrero).

Clara Centeno. She was born on August 2, 1969. She began her love for dance at the age of 10. Her mother instilled in her the tradition.

Ramón Godinez. Who was known as ramoncito and who lived until 2014, as a child with his family was dedicated to the customs and traditions of the people, especially the feast of the Holy Cross on May 3.

All of them were honored in the book “Faces of Our People”, which on March 31 was presented by the municipal government.

Images taken from the Facebook page “El Valle del Maíz: History, Tradition and Magic“.