Festividad del Señor de la Conquista
Event Category: All Events, Community Events, Religous/Spiritual, Mexico Holidays/Observances, and Easter Events
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First Friday in March – The Festival of Our Lord of the Conquest. The faithful come to the Parroquia to recite 33 prayers, one for every year of Jesus’ life on earth.
Look for native dancers in front of the Parroquia from dawn until dusk the first Friday of March, a tradition spanning over 400 years. The dancers are venerating El Señor de la Conquista, a 1575 statue of Christ housed in the Parroquia that was carried by two Franciscan friars, Fr. Francisco Doncel and Fr. Pedro de Burgos, who came to San Miguel to convert the rebellious and barbaric Chichimeca. The friars were killed on the road to SMA near the colonia named for them, Los Frailes.
The life-sized Jesus statue the friars carried with them was meant for the Parroquia to celebrate the fact that San Miguel was recently declared an official town by the Spanish crown. The statue was made in the state of Michocan and left behind on the road by the Chichimecas.
Once recovered, the European looking Jesus was altered with corn stalks and orchid bulbs to appear more native looking and darker skinned. Mirrors were applied to Jesus’ cross to reflect the notion that the same Jesus was savior to both the Spanish and local Mexicans. It was a huge step in helping to convert locals to the Roman Catholic faith and resides inside the Parroquia.
People who enter the Parroquia this day say 33 prayers, one for each of the years of Jesus’ life.
Scores of dancers from all around Mexico don elaborate pre-Hispanic costumes, complete with plumed headdresses and other indigenous garb reflective of what the great Aztec, Mayan and Toltec emperors and warriors wore. At this, the start of the food growing season, dancers perform for most of the day in front of the Parroquia to help ensure prosperity for all. They begin following a 6:00 am mass that celebrates the spiritual conquest of the dancers through their faith in Jesus Christ. It is a feast of particular significance to the native Otomies.
Celebrate the Lord of the Conquest with us in San Miguel de Allende Mx.
by Efrain Gonzales
San Miguel de Allende has become an icon of culture, tradition and faith worldwide; and proof of this are its festivities, such as the one that will be celebrated in honor of the Lord of the Conquest on Friday, March 1.
Señor de la Conquista is a life-sized Christ and one of the most revered images in this World Heritage City, not only because of its antiquity, as this year marks 450 years since arriving at this place, but also because of the history behind this arrival. Made in Pátzcuaro, with a technique from the native peoples of that region: the corn cane paste was brought to the then Villa de San Miguel by a couple of Franciscan friars, with the purpose of being used during religious processions and, Just 12 kilometers from their destination, they were attacked, dying hugging this Christ and an image similar to that found in San Felipe, Guanajuato.Since then, the festival in his honor, although it has been modified, it is one of the largest in this destination. Beginning the night before with vigils in neighborhoods and communities heirs of this tradition, where the aromas of flowers and copal mix, with the songs and praises sung to the rhythm of the music of the concheros ” dancers” and the dance of the devotees who come to this place. to offer bread, candles or a drink to distribute among those attending.
In the morning, starting at 8:00 am, the different dance groups begin to move to the Parroquia of San Miguel Arcángel, who will be dancing all day around the Main Plaza. The feathers and colorful costumes of the dances meet with local striped, Moorish and Christian dances. Drums, shawms and armadillo shells mark the steps that arrive with love and gratitude from different parts of the city and the region. This year more than a thousand participants are expected.
For some decades now, this celebration has become one of the most attractive for visitors, especially for photographers due to its eye-catching nature. Therefore, if you wish to attend, we recommend that you wear comfortable clothing, shoes, protect yourself from the sun, and always keep hydrated and follow the instructions of the municipal authorities. Keep an eye out for Scott Umstattd world photographer and his danzante presentation to the city of San Miguel de Allende.
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