The Battle of Huejotzingo
On 5 May 1862, during the second French intervention in Mexico, the Battle of Puebla began near the town of Puebla de Zaragoza, where the Mexican army succeeded in defeating a better equipped and larger French army, providing a great inspiration to Mexican patriotism and helping to slow down the French advance towards Mexico City.
Every year, the town of Huejotzingo, a few kilometres from Puebla, celebrates the Battle of Puebla in one of Mexico’s oldest and most important carnivals. More than 20,000 masqueraders parade through the streets of the city representing the different battalions that took part in the famous battle, armed with real muskets that shoot tons of gunpowder during the four-day celebration.
The Huejotzingo carnival is also one of the most dangerous carnivals in the world, with a death toll of 5 and 72 injured from 2014 to 2023. At the same time, it is also one of the most interesting from an anthropological point of view. It started in 1868, a few years after the battle and is currently the oldest carnival in the country and the only one that contains historical elements.
In addition, what makes this event unique is its symbolically syncretic character, combining elements of catholicism, the pre-hispanic tradition and elements of the colonial history of the country. In this sense, it can be considered as a mirror of the mexican syncretism in the face of the absorption of all the cultural influences of its history.
Every year, the town of Huejotzingo, a few kilometres from Puebla, celebrates the Battle of Puebla in one of Mexico’s oldest and most important carnivals. More than 20,000 masqueraders parade through the streets of the city representing the different battalions that took part in the famous battle, armed with real muskets that shoot tons of gunpowder during the four-day celebration.
The Huejotzingo carnival is also one of the most dangerous carnivals in the world, with a death toll of 5 and 72 injured from 2014 to 2023. At the same time, it is also one of the most interesting from an anthropological point of view. It started in 1868, a few years after the battle and is currently the oldest carnival in the country and the only one that contains historical elements.
In addition, what makes this event unique is its symbolically syncretic character, combining elements of catholicism, the pre-hispanic tradition and elements of the colonial history of the country. In this sense, it can be considered as a mirror of the mexican syncretism in the face of the absorption of all the cultural influences of its history.
