MEXICO: RESIDENTS OF TOWN NEAR TO POPOCATEPETL VOLCANO HONOUR IT IN ANNUAL CEREMONY

Record ID: 862929

  • Title: MEXICO: RESIDENTS OF TOWN NEAR TO POPOCATEPETL VOLCANO HONOUR IT IN ANNUAL CEREMONY
  • Date: 12th March 2003
  • Summary: (L!2) SANTIAGO XALIZINTLA, MEXICO (MARCH 12, 2003) (REUTERS) POPOCATEPETL VOLCANO DAWN EXTERIOR OF CHURCH BELLS RINGING RESIDENTS OF XALIZINTLA RESIDENTS WALKING TOWARD THE VOLCANO VARIOUS OF THE WALK VOLCANO FEET WALKING THROUGH THE ASH WALK CEREMONIAL CAVE OFFERING OF A CROSS WITH FLOWERS OFFERING OF A HAT WITH TEQUILA AND FRUIT OFFERING OF FOOD, TEQUILA AND FRUIT BURNING INCENSE OVER THE OFFERING TO THE VOLCANO FARMERS SINGING IN FRONT OF THE OFFERING FIRE FARMERS SINGING BAND PLAYING THROWING FIRECRACKERS FARMERS CLAPPING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RESIDENT OF THE AREA MATEO SEVILLA SAYING: "From year to year we come here and we take turns playing, some leave, some stay and some come each year." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RESIDENT OF THE AREA PLUTARCO VILCHIS SAYING: "I come to ask for water for my seeds, for my land." PEOPLE CLAPPING FARMERS SERVING FOOD CRATER OF VOLCANO
  • Embargoed: 27th March 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: SANTIAGO XALIZINTLA, MEXICO
  • City:
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Environment,Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVABDY7QD5JEMUJXBQ6KS6M9W81D
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Residents from a town located close to Mexico's massive Popocatepetl volcano have honoured it in an annual ceremony of indigenous music, prayers and offerings.
    Dozens of residents from the small town to Santiago Xalizintla (haleet-ZEENT-lah) gathered to honour Mexico's largest volcano with offerings of fruit, tequila and firecrackers on Wednesday (March 12, 2003).
    The farmers trudged through heavy volcanic ash and rough, rock-filled terrain for five hours to reach a small cave located one kilometre from the Popocatepetl (poh-poh-cah-teh-PEH-tel) volcano, also known among Mexicans as "Popo" or "Don Goyo".
    Located some 12 kilometres from the volcano, Santiago Xalizintla is the closest town to Popo. The residents live with daily reminders of the proximity, feeling tremors, exhalations and explosions as "Don Goyo" acts up.
    The farmers express their respect and veneration for the strength of the volcano with the annual ceremony of homage.
    "From year to year we come here and we take turns playing, some leave, some stay and some come each year,"
    explained resident Mateo Sevilla (mah-TAE-oh sae-VEE-yah).
    The farmers play indigenous music and carry offerings of food, beer, tequila and flowers to the small cave located near the volcano. They also present Popo with gifts of a Mexican hat, a poncho and shoes. The ceremony continues with songs, firecrackers and prayers.
    "I come to ask for water for my seeds, for my land," said resident Plutarco Vilchis (ploo-TAR-coh VEEL-chees).
    The Popo volcano often shows signs of activity. On December 21, 2000, it erupted, forcing some 30,000 nearby residents to evacuate.
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