San Miguel de Allende preserves traditions of indigenous peoples

Published August 11th, 2022

With the traditional “Reseña al Señor San Miguel” the Fiestas Patronales de San Miguel de Allende, promoted by the Municipal Government, headed by President Mauricio Trejo, begin and the traditions of the indigenous peoples are preserved.

This sanmiguelense custom is the expression of the native peoples who, since the early years of the founding of this city, pay as tribute to San Miguel Arcangel.

“Reseña” we handle it as “Anuncio de la fiesta del señor San Miguel” but in reality it has a totally indigenous origin. The indigenous groups, originating in this area, preserve their tradition, remember their origins and continue to have a very deep respect for the divinity and their patron saint, the archangel San Miguel. As they have done for many years, they come to ask for permission. There is governmental support, on the part of the (Municipal) Administration of Mauricio Trejo, which helps this to continue, to keep it alive. We all have to do something to keep traditions alive and take care that they are not confused, that they are not demerited, lost or distorted. We intend that all the people of San Miguel take part, it can be seen as a spectacle of the manifestation, of the indigenous expression, they are our ancestors there. It is our party, we are all San Miguel de Allende” expressed the director of Culture and Traditions, Acacio Martinez.

This year, “La Reseña” will take place next Sunday, August 14, at noon, which officially announces the beginning of the festivities in honor of its Patron Saint, mixing from its origin the native inhabitants of the San Miguel territory with those who have come to live in this municipality and have joined the essence that has identified San Miguel in the world.

In this festivity a parade takes place where the “animas” are exhibited, accompanied by flags and banners, which are crosses with pictures that venerate some religious image, where the people of the communities believe they carry the souls of their ancestors’ protectors; most of them are from family ancestors, who were their benefactors and gave origin to the family represented.

In this parade, dancers, concheros, and local musicians, primarily descendants of Chichimecas, Otomíes, and some Guamares, come from various communities throughout the San Miguel territory and gather in the neighborhood of Las Cuevitas, to leave in a contingent, with approximately 300 dancers, to visit the patron saint San Miguel Arcángel to the iconic parish erected in the heart of the city by Zeferino Gutiérrez.

There, the native peoples announce the festivity, and ask for his help so that there will be abundance during the celebration in his name; years ago, a bull was offered in tribute, which had been previously stolen, to receive the priestly blessing and to be able to sacrifice it to offer food to the representatives of the attending communities; currently, the offerings are donated, as well as the bull, to receive the blessing and be offered to the participants, later they travel through the municipal markets and the vendors give food as they pass by.

As part of the “Reseña al Señor San Miguel”, then a massive visit is made to the old cemetery, opened ex-professor, to honor their ancestors and return to the neighborhood of Las Cuevitas, to continue with a popular verbena next to the stream of Las Cachinches.

Recognizing its value for San Miguel’s identity, the Municipal Government is promoting this ancestral tradition, being a mediator between the participating groups, promoting coordination meetings, and generating the interest of the people of San Miguel in knowing and valuing their origins, keeping them alive, participating and instilling their preservation for generations.

The “Reseña al Señor San Miguel” is the beginning of the festivities, which give way to the religious celebration on September 29 in honor of San Miguel Arcángel, to continue on Saturday, October 1 with the Alborada and then the entrance of the Xuchiles; On Sunday, October 2nd there will be indigenous dances in honor of Fray Juan de San Miguel and the patron saint festivities conclude on Sunday, October 9th with “La Octava”, when the image of San Miguel leaves the parish and returns after visiting the churches of the historic center, to celebrate again with the cultural expressions of the native peoples.