14 de Noviembre
Comitán de Domínguez, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez
From November 14 to 16, 2025, the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez will host “El Mequé,” a celebration that honors the ancestral heritage, traditions, and identity of the Indigenous peoples of Chiapas.
“El Mequé,” a word that in the Zoque language means festival or gathering, symbolizes a pre-Hispanic tradition that has endured through the centuries. This event is an initiative of the Government of the State of Chiapas aimed at preserving, promoting, and strengthening the cultural wealth of Indigenous peoples — the fundamental pillars of Chiapanecan identity.
Recognized as one of the mother cultures of Mesoamerica, the Zoque civilization plays a vital role in history, as various sources identify it as a possible predecessor of the Olmec culture. From its legacy emerged a rich network of cultural and linguistic expressions that gave rise to other civilizations such as the Maya, Chiapaneca, and Mixe-Zoque, creating a living heritage that continues to be celebrated with pride today.
During the El Mequé Festival, delegations from different municipalities of Chiapas will come together to share their most authentic traditions through dance, music, gastronomy, handicrafts, and ritual ceremonies, in an atmosphere that celebrates the state’s vibrant cultural diversity.
In 2025, the Festival will feature three main venues:
“El Mequé,” a word that in the Zoque language means festival or gathering, symbolizes a pre-Hispanic tradition that has endured through the centuries. This event is an initiative of the Government of the State of Chiapas aimed at preserving, promoting, and strengthening the cultural wealth of Indigenous peoples — the fundamental pillars of Chiapanecan identity.
Recognized as one of the mother cultures of Mesoamerica, the Zoque civilization plays a vital role in history, as various sources identify it as a possible predecessor of the Olmec culture. From its legacy emerged a rich network of cultural and linguistic expressions that gave rise to other civilizations such as the Maya, Chiapaneca, and Mixe-Zoque, creating a living heritage that continues to be celebrated with pride today.
During the El Mequé Festival, delegations from different municipalities of Chiapas will come together to share their most authentic traditions through dance, music, gastronomy, handicrafts, and ritual ceremonies, in an atmosphere that celebrates the state’s vibrant cultural diversity.
In 2025, the Festival will feature three main venues:
- Comitán de Domínguez, Pueblo Mágico, will host the Festival of Ferments and Distillates in the Barrio de La Pila, from November 7 to 9.
- San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Pueblo Mágico, will feature Chiapas Fashion Night at the MUSAC, merging art, design, and tradition.
- Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the main venue, will present a grand cultural showcase from November 14 to 16, highlighted by the Parade of Cultures on November 15, filling the streets with color, music, and diversity.
El Mequé Festival is both a tribute to the past and a commitment to the future of Chiapas’ roots — a unique opportunity to experience the pride, history, and living essence of a state that is, indeed, extraordinary by nature.