Its been sometime that I had written anything in this blog. However while my last blog was about the pyramids we visited near Oaxaca, I just thought of writing now about few cultural aspect which we tried during our stay in Oaxaca . Oaxaca is famous for its handi craft goods like embroidered dresses, potteries, bags made by hand, handloom items, carpets, potteries which are artistically made . There are some indigeneous villages near Oaxaca where one can stay and learn the handicraft making. Oaxaca has some very good museums which houses contemporary and traditional painitings,photographs,sculptures. Some museums also has the artifacts excavated from the nearby pyramid sites.
Oaxacan food is very distinctive due to its microclimates and number of indigeneous people developing their own style of food. Oaxaca is also called the state of sven moles. Mole negro is one of the most famous mole. Mole is like a sauce which is either eaten as topping over chicken,turkey,meats or over corn tortillas like enchiladas. oaxacan mole are made from about 30 different ingredients and each has its own distinct flavour . The most distinct ingredient of mole negro(negro means black) is due to hoja santa.Tlayudas are Oaxacan pizza made of fried corn tortillas topped with meats,avocados,tomatoes. Enchiladas ,chilaquiles,tamales are other food based on simple tortillas or blandas,cheese and garnished with mole negro or red salsa(for chilaquiles). The local energy drink is tejate which are usually considered for ruling zapotec society.These tejates are served in hand made pots called Jicaras. Locally made alcohol called Pulque has a very strong,distinct burned out taste made from agave plants. There are loacl tours avalilable to witness the hand made processing of Pulque in nearby disteleries.
Oaxacan coffee and chocolates are good. Oaxacan cheese,requeson are used all over mexico.
The supreme festival celebrated in the month of July is Guelaguetza. The fiesta is also in honor of Centeotl, the goddess of corn. This festival is for bountiful harvest and celebrating community life .Every years its celebrated in Oaxaca city and around. In Oaxaca city its celebrated in an ampitheater on top of a hill.The dancers are usually seen dancing with a pineapple and wearing mostly traditional dresses and ornaments.
