South Kern Sol, Photo Essay, Daniel Jimenez

Editors Note:  South Kern Sol’s youth reporter, Daniel Jimenez attended this years Guelaguetza celebration early this month and captured several great photos. To read South Kern Sol’s story on this year’s Guelaguetza click here.

In this photo, two dancers hold up a flag of “Virgen de la Natividad”, the virgin of nativity. The dancers traveled to Bakersfield from Gilroy for this year’s La Guelaguetza.

These, calaveritas, or skulls, are decorated crafts, often customary in Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations. The calaveritas were only a few of several crafts on display at this picturesque festival.

La Guelaguetza gave families the opportunity for multiple generations to learn about Oaxacan culture together. In this picture, family members Selina and Linda enjoy a frozen treat while listening to traditional Oaxacan live music.

A customer purchases tlayudas, a traditional Oaxacan dish. Tlayudas, often described as a “Mexican pizza,” are considered one of the most popular Oaxacan street foods. Tlayulas are prepared with an oversized corn tortilla, followed by a spread of pork fat and bean paste, then covered with cheese, shredded lettuce or cabbage, tomatoes, salsa, and topped with meat.