Point South Mexico - Real Estate and Lifestyle Magazine

As the last fuse fizzes and pops, every gaze zeroes in on la corona (crown) fixed at the apex. The rocket-studded circle gyrates slowly at first, then whirls wildly, round and round, faster and faster until, with a sudden exhilarating whoosh, it zooms off towards the stratosphere.

Incendiary devices are integral elements of most the country’s religious and civic celebrations. Virtually every community holds a prolonged celebration honouring its designated patron saint. In most cases the fiestas patronales stretch out over a nine-day period called a novenario.

Conventional wisdom dictates that no fiesta is worth its salt without a heavy dose of pólvora (gunpowder) and juegos artificiales (fireworks). Introduced to Mexico after the Spanish conquest, the use of explosives is based on a common notion that they awake the attention of divine protectors, simultaneously spooking off evils spirits that would do harm.

Some folks don’t cotton to this deep-rooted custom, among them a fair share of foreign settlers. Many resent the constant commotion that disturbs slumber and sends household pets scurrying for cover. Others disparage the inherent danger of playing with fire and the amount of hard-earned money “wasted” on noisy nonsense by people of limited means. But as a sign of devotion tightly woven into the religious culture, it’s unlikely the practice will ever fall out of favor. If this is your case then you want to stay away from Ajijic Rentals in the center, and choose something that is at least several blocks away.

Fireworks are just one form of the popular arts closely connected to Mexican fiestas. Traditional celebrations in many localities feature ritual danzas with performers donning colourful costumes, sometimes accessorized with hand-made masks, stunning headdresses and noise-making footgear. Inhabitants usually dress up the streets with strings of papel picado (tissue paper cutouts), often employing colour themes linked to divine personage of honour. Procession routes may be adorned with floral tributes and long carpets made with fresh blossoms and dyed sawdust laid out to form pictures and geometric patterns. Parades may showcase carros allegoricos (stunning floats) that carry a sacred image or people decked out as living statues to depict lessons from scripture.

These unique manifestations of faith share a common thread with the blazing castle fireworks displays. They are labour-intensive artistic works, yet ephemeral in nature. Contemplated on a deeper sense they may even reflect a philosophical take on fleeting human existence.

In one great sparkling package the castillo seems to embody the intrinsic qualities of this picturesque land and its warm-hearted people—the colour, noise and vibrancy of its landscape, the pluckiness, creativity and unbridled joie de vivre that seem to ease folks through the vagaries of daily life.