MEXICO: The country's legendary marching Mariachis celebrate the feast day of Saint Cecilia, their patron saint, with a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe

Record ID: 190362

  • Title: MEXICO: The country's legendary marching Mariachis celebrate the feast day of Saint Cecilia, their patron saint, with a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe
  • Date: 23rd November 2012
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (NOVEMBER 22, 2012) (REUTERS) **CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY** EXTERIOR OF BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE MARIACHI BAND MEMBERS SINGING MARIACHI CARRYING FIGURE OF BABY JESUS DRESSED AS MARIACHI VARIOUS OF MARIACHI BAND PLAYING
  • Embargoed: 8th December 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Quirky,Religion,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA7MVQNCXRZREN5I9FACDM3VXU
  • Story Text: Mexican mariachis marked their national day on Thursday (November 22) celebrating with a festival of music and serenades.
    Clad in their traditional garb of cropped jackets and wide sombreros, the musicians marched in a procession to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where they heard Mass and were sprinkled with holy water.
    Mariachis originated in the 19th century in the southern state of Jalisco where they performed at festivals and weddings. Their instruments include guitars, violins and harps. Many modern day mariachi groups have eliminated the harp in favour of the trumpet.
    For years, Mexico City's mariachis have organised themselves on November 22 to honour their patron saint, Cecilia.

    "The first group of mariachis started congregating in Garibaldi. That's where the first mariachi groups congregated and then they started with the traditional congregation towards the Basilica. As my colleague said, this tradition is 71 years-old and it's an honour for us to take part in the pilgrimage to the Holy Virgin," said mariachi band player, Salvador Cruz.
    Mariachis also gathered in one of the capital's main plazas where they gave a concert and heard mass in honour of Saint Cecilia.
    Musician Thomas Villar said they prayed for employment and good fortune.

    "We ask her to look after us, protect us, give us health, help us and give us work, for all of us, my colleagues, who work with music and also for those who don't work in this industry because we all belong to God," he said.
    The name "mariachi" came from French soldiers who arrived in Mexico in the 1800s and called the musicians "marriage", the French word for wedding.
    Following the day's activities dozens of the mariachis ended their day with a range of national songs.
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