Forums > Areas > Central Highlands

TigerTonio

Sep 14, 2005, 11:07 PM

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Zacán, Michoacán

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I posted this earlier but got no response. Here's one more try. I'm hoping that someone has been a witness to this event.

A while back in Morelia, I picked up the most wonderful coffee table book, MICHOACÁN, IMPRESIONES DE UN VIAJE EN EL UMBRAL DEL SIGLO XXI. While thumbing through the pages (in both Spanish and English), I came across a piece on the National Contest of the Purépechas Race in Zacán, which takes place annually on October 18th. Has anyone had the good fortune of attending this event? It sounds fantastic!

jennifer rose

Sep 15, 2005, 4:19 AM

Post #2 of 6 (703 views)

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Re: [Tio Toño] Zacán, Michoacán

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Yes, and it is a fantastic experience.

TigerTonio

Sep 15, 2005, 3:58 PM

Post #3 of 6 (653 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Zacán, Michoacán

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Yessss! :-)

Jennifer, can this be experienced in a day (from Morelia, for example) or does it merit an overnight stay?

jennifer rose

Sep 15, 2005, 4:17 PM

Post #4 of 6 (649 views)

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Re: [Tio Toño] Zacán, Michoacán

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Why cheat yourself trying to cram it all into one day and drive back and forth to Morelia? Stay in Uruapan.

Miguel Palomares

Sep 16, 2005, 8:16 AM

Post #5 of 6 (603 views)

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Re: [Tio Toño] Zacán, Michoacán

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Perhaps you two can provide a little detail here. What is this thing?
From Tzurumutaro, Michoacan, "The Village of the Darned."
_______________________________________

The nuts and bolts of moving to Mexico:
http://michaeldickson.blogspot.com/
The dark side of living in Mexico:
http://mexicopeeks.blogspot.com/
Scintillating life in a Mexican pueblo:
http://tzurumutaro.blogspot.com/
http://tzurumutaro2.blogspot.com/

TigerTonio

Sep 19, 2005, 10:59 AM

Post #6 of 6 (542 views)

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Re: [Emiliano Palomares] Zacán, Michoacán

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A quick summary of what I've read:

Zacán, a city notable for its artisans and buildings from the viceroy period, plays host to the National Contest of the Purepechas. The 2-day event brings together delegations from sixty indigenous communities and attracts an estimated 10,000 attendees. The contest is always held on October 18th of each year.

In addition to the contest, there are festivities that include dancing, music and parades. Every music, dance or song group performs demanding routines.

One of the most impressive events is the playing of uárhukua, a Purepecha sport similar to polo. It tends to be played at night with a burning ball on a playing field set along the length of the four city streets lining a city block, with each team gtrying to cover the entire length to score.

Lots of food.

Can't wait to go!