By MoKa Hammeken (2011) On December 12th, the day of the Virgen de Guadalupe, also known as our Señora of Guadalupe, is celebrated across Mexico. She is the Mexican representation of the Virgin Mary and whose sanctuary may be found in the Basilica of Guadalupe in the northern part of Mexico City. According to legend, la […]

By MoKa Hammeken (2011) On December 12th, the day of the Virgen de Guadalupe, also known as our Señora of Guadalupe, is celebrated across Mexico. She is the Mexican representation of the Virgin Mary and whose sanctuary may be found in the Basilica of Guadalupe in the northern part of Mexico City. According to legend, la Virgen de Guadalupe appeared four times on the hill of Tepeyac to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, an indigenous man from the area. On the fourth appearance, la Virgen ordered Juan Diego to go before the first Bishop of Mexico, Juan de Zumárraga, and to take him some flowers.  Wrapped in his ayate (traditional indigenous natural cloth woven from fibers of the maguey plant), Juan Diego took roses, as indicated to him by the apparition, that are not native to Mexico (Castillian roses) and that could not survive in the arid lands of the area. When he reached his destination, Juan Diego opened up his cloak before the Bishop and as the roses fell they revealed the image of

the Virgin Mary, yet with dark skin and indigenous traits. These appearances are dated as having taken place in 1531, the last of them on December 12 according to canonical record of the appearances of Tepeyac (though other writers contend the origin was from the 17th century). Yet before continuing to speak of Her, we should learn about why the name “Guadalupe.”  The origin of the name Guadalupe has always been an area of controversy, and many possible explanations have been given. Nevertheless, in this case, we present the clearest theory which is that the name is a result of the translation from Nahuatl to Spanish of the words used by the Virgen during an appearance to Juan Bernardino, the sick uncle of Juan Diego. It is believed that Nuestra Señora used the Nahuatl term coatlaxopeuh, which is pronounced quatlasupe and sounds very similar to the Spanish word Guadalupe. “Coa” means snake, “tla” is…

Following the steps of Gallo Estrada – WBO/WBA Flyweight Champion from Puerto Peñasco Today was weigh-in day, and tomorrow the bout at the CUM in Hermosillo to defend his titles against Filipino Joebert Álvarez. We are in the remaining hours of anticipation, the buzz of which can be felt widely across social networks. Once again […]

Following the steps of Gallo Estrada - WBO/WBA Flyweight Champion from Puerto PeñascoToday was weigh-in day, and tomorrow the bout at the CUM in Hermosillo to defend his titles against Filipino Joebert Álvarez. We are in the remaining hours of anticipation, the buzz of which can be felt widely across social networks. Once again El Gallo has prepared to represent his country, his state, and of course Puerto Peñasco!  His training regimen and enthusiasm can be

readily observed due to his constant presence on Facebook: Juan Francisco "El Gallo" Estrada Oficial  as well as Twitter  @GalloEstradaOfi.  El Gallo looks determined, confident, content, and in tremendous condition for Saturday's fight. ¡Vamos Gallo! Catch up on some of Gallo's recent steps: El Gallo Brings World Championship Boxing To Puerto Peñasco El Gallo retains World Championship Titles El Gallo Estrada is new WBO/WBA Boxing Champ!  

Siguiendo los pasos del Gallo Estrada,  boxeador campeón mundial que salió de tierras peñasquenses. Hoy es el día del pesaje y mañana, por fin, la pelea en el CUM de Hermosillo para defender su título contra el filipino Joebert Álvarez. Ya son las últimas horas de expectativa y se hacen sentir en las redes sociales. […]

Siguiendo los pasos del Gallo Estrada,  boxeador campeón mundial que salió de tierras peñasquenses.Hoy es el día del pesaje y mañana, por fin, la pelea en el CUM de Hermosillo para defender su título contra el filipino Joebert Álvarez. Ya son las últimas horas de expectativa y se hacen sentir en las redes sociales. Él se  ha preparado mucho para representar a su país, a su estado y a Puerto Peñasco, como se puede observar, gracias a su constante presencia en Facebook Juan Francisco "El Gallo" Estrada Oficial  y en su Twitter @GalloEstradaOfi, Juan Francisco se ve decido, confiado, alegre y

de muy buen talante para esta nueva pelea. No se pierdan la pelea, y los invitamos a conocer más sobre él, que ya es toda una celebridad, pero sigue siendo una persona que no ha perdido el piso, una muy linda persona, entregado a su deporte y a “su gente” como él dice. Team Gallo La historia de cómo El Gallo Estrada inició en el boxeo Noticias:  El Gallo de Sonora    

Republished from Oct. 2011 To the people of New York, Paris, or London, “death” is a word that is never pronounced because it burns the lips. The Mexican, however, frequents it, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it; it is one of its favorite toys and most steadfast love. Of course, in […]

Republished from Oct. 2011 To the people of New York, Paris, or London, "death" is a word that is never pronounced because it burns the lips. The Mexican, however, frequents it, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it; it is one of its favorite toys and most steadfast love. Of course, in his attitude perhaps there is as much fear as there is in one of the others; at least he does not hide it; he confronts it face to face with patience, disdain, or irony ~ Octavio Paz, Labyrinth of Solitude In this brief paragraph Octavio Paz almost flawlessly defines the relationship of “the Mexican” with Death throughout history, and at every moment of his/her life (he was indeed a wonderful writer). In particular this describes the symbiosis between humans and earth, as well as the incorporeal and supernatural essence found in the colorful Day of the Dead throughout the width and breadth of the Mexican

Republic. While in other countries death wears mournful hues and includes a certain sense of doom, in Mexico in the full light of the day Death can be observed in vibrant energetic colors, such as orange, blue and pink; it is awaited and preparations for its coming are arranged in advance. It is a day of festivity and coming together. These are days in which the deceased are celebrated not solely as a simple memory or in tribute, but rather that these beings, who come from an unknown place, return to relish in a bit of earthly delights. Therefore the altars, which contain all the favorite dishes of the departed, are also adorned with Cempazúchitl flowers with their strong aroma and brilliant orange color; they are like the lines of a super highway showing spirits the way. There is joy and celebration because loved ones are “coming to visit.” Music, cut-out crepe paper, sweets, candles, incense, bread, drinks, and laughter…

Leer en Español By MoKa Hammeken As the date nears, it would seem there is a small conflict in the air – to celebrate Halloween or Day of the Dead. Obviously there are people who wish to rescue Mexican traditions, as a way to strengthen identity; nevertheless, we cannot set aside acculturation and the strong […]

Leer en Español By MoKa Hammeken As the date nears, it would seem there is a small conflict in the air – to celebrate Halloween or Day of the Dead. Obviously there are people who wish to rescue Mexican traditions, as a way to strengthen identity; nevertheless, we cannot set aside acculturation and the strong influence we receive particularly from our neighbors to the North. This strong wave does not only hit the border, but reaches further into the center of Mexico. Still, those who really believe in all the Day of the Dead means and symbolizes do not question it and simply do so, as I have been able to see in an area of the state of Morelos, called Ocotepec. Each year, the streets of this area fill up with persons walking, entering and leaving various homes. Only the families that have lost a member during the last year open their doors to the public and arrange their

home with an altar, candles, floral paths, and various festive decorations. People are invited to eat and drink (depending on the families). There is a range, from homes that only offer bread and refreshments to those where an entire fiesta may be enjoyed with different Mexican dishes, accompanied with a band or mariachi and ponche “with a kick”. Walking through the streets you find out which is the “best house” to visit, either due to decorations or for what they offer. This, according to tradition, is a day in which the spirits of the dead are allowed to return home to enjoy a few days (thus, the altar). So, those who have recently passed away are celebrated so they will know the way home; the bigger the fiesta, the easier it is for them to find it and quickly return home. Courtesies of this custom state that anyone can enter a home, provided they bring a gift for the altar,…

A pesar de ser uno de los estados más grandes, la sola palabra “Sonora”, es capaz de hacer varios de los diferentes cultureros y artistas, se encuentren. Los talentos abundan en Sonora y cada uno aparece con una singularidad, que te abre los horizontes de hasta donde pueden alcanzar las ramas de lo cultural y […]

A pesar de ser uno de los estados más grandes, la sola palabra “Sonora”, es capaz de hacer varios de los diferentes cultureros y artistas, se encuentren. Los talentos abundan en Sonora y cada uno aparece con una singularidad, que te abre los horizontes de hasta donde pueden alcanzar las ramas de lo cultural y lo artístico, pero también, los lugares insospechados donde se puede encontrar, a esa persona de buen talante, que está dispuesta a formar un lazo de amistad a pesar de la distancia física. Así fue como por medio de una extraña maraña de seguimientos virtuales, en twitter y facebook, curiosamente di con Erika Tamaura. Nos comenzamos a comunicar cuando estaba en medio de la organización de talleres de iniciación blogger, fashión y gourmet, aparte de organizar el encuentro de blogueras en febrero del 2015 en Ciudad Obregón. Sin duda es promotora de un arte extraño y efímero de escritura de posteo de ideas y tendencias. Pero me encantó la idea de explorar esa área: ¿Un

blog? Eso está al alcance de todos, y ahora en tiempos de calor (cuando las actividades sociales y recreativas al aire libre se restringen un poco), es algo que, teniendo una computadora o un teléfono cerca, se puede hacer. Expresarse sin refreno y para un público un poco diferente. Entonces ¿entrevistar a una blogger, que hace cursos de eso? ¿por qué no? Es una rama más de la literatura; entre otras, por que, como se imaginarán, las posibilidades son infinitas. Erika, la blogger. Sin embargo, como gestora cultural, se dedica a mucho más. La imagino como una persona amable pero agitada, de apretada agenda laboral, cultural y social. Siempre me la he imaginado sonriente, fresca y de aspecto de chica glam chic (nada cercano al look desaliñado-playero -bohemio-blah que acostumbro a traer). Exacto, no nos conocemos personalmente (esperamos hacerlo pronto), sin embargo después de algunas conversaciones por chats, ella me hablaba…