San Jose Celebrates Second Annual Guelaguetza at National Hispanic University

This year's Guelaguetza celebration was held on July 25 at the National Hispanic University and featured 14 dance groups and 10 restaurants from San Jose and the Bay Area, representing the eight regions of the Southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, which has the largest concentration of ethnic and linguistic diversity in that country. Of the 65 ethnic groups in Mexico, 18 ethnic groups are located in Oaxaca.

Each of the eight regions showcased their dances, colorful costumes, produce and regional cuisine, which they shared after their performances.

The word Guelaguetza (Gay-lah-get-sah) originated from Zapotec, one of the languages spoken in Oaxaca (Wa-ha-kah). The celebration is a millenary tradition which calls for spending time together and sharing with others. The term refers to cooperation at the time of sowing and harvesting and the support given by the community to newlyweds and sick relatives.

This celebration became a ritual dedicated to Centéotl y Xilomen, the Goddesses of agriculture and corn and eventually a hommage to the Virgin of Carmen.

"There are many Oaxacan communities in Santa Clara county — we want to unite them," said Tomás González, president of Lazos Oaxaqueños, organizer of the event.

San Jose has become the hub of the Oaxaca immigrant community in Northern California. According to González, several groups from Fresno to Santa Rosa meet here once a month to promote Oaxacan culture and organize activities like basketball or soccer tournaments.

The groups plan to create a Oaxacan Federation in Northern California that will work closely with the Mexican government to obtain federal funds for projects in the Oaxacan state and to establish stronger links with Oaxacans in Southern California.

In addition to residents of San Jose and Oaxaca, participants in this year's Guelaguetza in San Jose came from Los Angeles, Monterey, Seaside and Santa Cruz.