Festival of St. Isidore

St. Isidore, Festival of

Mid-MayAlthough indigenous fertility rites were outlawed when Mexico was conquered by the Spaniards and converted to Catholicism, a few pre-Hispanic festivities have survived—often overlaid with Christian meaning. One of these is the Festival of St. Isidore in Metepec, where farmers honor their patron saint around the time of his feast day, May 15. The men dress up as women and accompany their plows and oxen, which have been decorated with flowers, in a procession to the fields.
In Acapantzingo, Morelos State, there is a sowing festival in mid-May that includes a folk play and ritual dances, while in Matamoros, Tamaulipas State, there is a procession in honor of St. Isidore followed by dances that depict the events of the Spanish conquest.
See also San Isidro in Peru, Fiesta of; San Isidro the Farmer, Feast of
CONTACTS:
Mexico Tourism Board
21 E. 63rd St., Fl. 3
New York, NY 10021
800-446-3942 or 212-821-0314; fax: 212-821-0367
www.visitmexico.com
SOURCES:
IntlThFolk-1979, p. 272