12 de Enero
Chiapas
Devotion to the Lord of Esquipulas—also known as the Black Christ of Esquipulas—holds a special place in the spiritual life of Mexico and Central America. In Chiapas, this devotion is expressed with deep fervor in municipalities such as Chiapa de Corzo as part of the world-renowned Fiesta Grande, as well as in Huehuetán, Zinacantán, Tapachula, and especially Villaflores, where the saint is considered Patron and where one of the largest fairs of the Frailesca region is held.
In Villaflores, the annual fair in honor of the Lord of Esquipulas features religious, cultural, and artistic expressions that strengthen identity and tradition. The celebration includes an artistic lineup of musical performances, family prayers, community festivities, and the traditional pilgrimage that begins at the main entrance of the city and proceeds to the Catholic temple. The streets fill with parishioners along the route, culminating at a beautifully decorated church where attendees are welcomed with applause and later gather for the traditional tamal feast outside the Temple of the Lord of Esquipulas and Saint Catherine.
In the Zoque region, particularly in the municipality of Rayón, the celebration preserves practices passed down through generations. The festivity includes the traditional "candle gathering," a ceremonial procession led by the alféreces, who also share traditional dishes such as free-range chicken broth, pork broth, botil bean tamales, cookies, guineo, and the traditional pinole made from toasted and ground corn.
During the procession, participants visit various homes carrying the image of Christ and decorated boxes filled with candles intended for the patron saint. The journey is accompanied by traditional musicians playing hymns on wooden drums covered with leather and reed flutes, an enduring Zoque cultural legacy.
These communities proudly preserve their traditions, maintaining a heritage passed down for generations. The celebration of the Lord of Esquipulas in Chiapas invites visitors to discover the spiritual and cultural richness that defines its towns and strengthens their historical roots.
In Villaflores, the annual fair in honor of the Lord of Esquipulas features religious, cultural, and artistic expressions that strengthen identity and tradition. The celebration includes an artistic lineup of musical performances, family prayers, community festivities, and the traditional pilgrimage that begins at the main entrance of the city and proceeds to the Catholic temple. The streets fill with parishioners along the route, culminating at a beautifully decorated church where attendees are welcomed with applause and later gather for the traditional tamal feast outside the Temple of the Lord of Esquipulas and Saint Catherine.
In the Zoque region, particularly in the municipality of Rayón, the celebration preserves practices passed down through generations. The festivity includes the traditional "candle gathering," a ceremonial procession led by the alféreces, who also share traditional dishes such as free-range chicken broth, pork broth, botil bean tamales, cookies, guineo, and the traditional pinole made from toasted and ground corn.
During the procession, participants visit various homes carrying the image of Christ and decorated boxes filled with candles intended for the patron saint. The journey is accompanied by traditional musicians playing hymns on wooden drums covered with leather and reed flutes, an enduring Zoque cultural legacy.
These communities proudly preserve their traditions, maintaining a heritage passed down for generations. The celebration of the Lord of Esquipulas in Chiapas invites visitors to discover the spiritual and cultural richness that defines its towns and strengthens their historical roots.