Kandu Adventures

The front of the Chapel

Lee and I are lucky enough to live in such a culturally rich region of Mexico. The Christmas season was filled with celebrations for everything from the Posada to the 3 Kings.

“One of the earliest recorded pastorelas was witnessed in 1586 by the visiting Franciscan prelate Fray Alonso Ponce in the churchyard of the village of Tlajomulco, south of Guadalajara, in what is now Jalisco. This scripted Nativity drama, performed by a native cast under the direction of the resident Franciscan missionary, was described by Antonio de Ciudad Real, a Franciscan chronicler who accompanied Father Ponce on his arduous journey around New Spain.

Bell Tower
The Church of the Three Reyes

In the 16th century, Tlajomulco was the principal Franciscan mission town for the Lake Cajitítlan region. Following destruction of the main church there, a new mission town was established at Los Reyes Cajititlan in the 18th century, which then became, as it remains today, the locus of this important regional festival.

In the first "pastorela" in the New World, which Hernandez said took place in 1587, the kings arrived riding a mule, a donkey and a horse. They each also had differing skin colors, something noted in virtually all Mexican interpretations of the "Santos Reyes." The pastorela’s were used as a tool to teach the old doctrines in the “new world”

The 3 Kings
"Blessing the little
children" The children touch the coats of
each king for a blessing.

The three "supposedly" represented the various races of the known world until the discovery of America. Tradition has one being white, one 'moreno' (darker) and the other black.

Thousands of pilgrims converge on Cajititlan de los Reyes for its "Dia de los Reyes" (Day of the Kings) festivities in early January, giving thanks for past blessings and, in some cases, patiently asking for needed intervention. The feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, marking when the Wise Men visited Jesus, is celebrated each year Jan. 6, the day Mexicans end the Christmas season with family gatherings that include a traditional "rosca de reyes" -- ring of the kings, a sweetbread -- and hot chocolate. Gifts are also exchanged, as the Mexican interpretation of Christmas has the Wise Men, not Santa Claus, bringing presents.

Notice that the King has been "dressed" in his
ceremonial robe

Cajititlan, a fishing village of approximately 8,000 inhabitants, celebrates somewhat differently than the rest of Mexico. Mesquite statues of the kings Melchior, Balthasar and Gaspar are carried through each neighborhood before boarding small fishing boats for a tour of the 5.5-square-mile Lake Cajititlan. The boat tour, several fishermen said, is to bless the lake, which has not been as bountiful in recent years and has a declining water level. This past year, the Puebla completed the construction of a rather large lakeside Malecon (boardwalk). This wonderful addition to the Puebla provided the perfect place to host the festivities.

Added blessings for those who kneel at the feet of
Kings

Lee and I spent two days in the town, enjoying the markets and the people, just taking in the spirit of the festivities. To witness the thousands of pilgrims kneeling beneath the statues reaching up to touch the statues bases humbly requesting blessings of health and prosperity. The procession through the town included many children dressed up as a king with their capes and gold crowns, authocthonous dancers were represented and danced to the drummers in full ceremonial costume both during the procession and then for hours afterwards. Men, women and children wore these black masks that were decorated with flowers or ribbons on the crown of the head. They represent people who received blessings from the Reyes in the passed and were requesting to be overlooked at this time. Although the masked people looked intimidating to us, they represent joy. Some referred to them by the name Gaspar, who is one of the three kings.

Upon arriving at the shore, each image has his own cheerfully-decorated motorboat. The Three Kings tour the lake to bless the waters and assure a good catch for fishermen in the upcoming year before they are returned to the parish church on the town plaza.