This celebration has its origin in pre-Hispanic times. It began as a ritual on the hill called by the Zapotecs as “Daninayaaloani” or Cerro de la Bella Vista, located in the city of Oaxaca and now known as Cerro del Fortín. This celebration was held in honor of the Zapotec goddess of corn known as ‘Cénteotl.’ Banquets, dances and rituals were offered at the ceremony during eight days.

After the Spanish conquest, the pre-Hispanic ritual was mixed with the celebration of the Virgen del Carmen. But it was not until the end of the 50s of the last century when the Guelaguetza began to perform as an event similar to the one celebrated now.

This performance is composed of different traditional dances in which the pre-Hispanic and colonial times are shown, but also those about the independent and contemporary times. In them we can see from Zapotec offerings and Catholic processions, to carnivals with folk figures, typical costumes and fireworks.

But that series of dances is just the preview of what will happen a day later at the Guelaguetza Auditorium, located in the Cerro del Fortín, where dozens of dancers will dance for more than 10 thousand people traditional dances with live music to represent the culture of the eight regions of Oaxaca: cañada, costa, Valles Centrales, Istmo, Papaloapan, Mixteca, Sierra Norte and Sierra Sur. Each region has its own traditional music band, in which the brass and woodwind instruments play a leading role. 

Many dances are performed such as: the dance of the pineapple flower, the dance of the feathers and the devil’s dance. The dances show the cultural diversity that exists in Oaxaca and each one has a different meaning that connects with its traditions and customs in each movement.