Costa Chica of Oaxaca

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La Costa Chica of Oaxaca (or Oaxaqueña) is a region of more than 50 municipalities on the extreme northwest coast of Oaxaca. Historically it has been tied culturally and economically with the corresponding region in the state of Guerrero and with Acapulco, in particular, rather than with the city of Oaxaca.^[1] The two principal reasons for this is that the coasts of Oaxaca and Guerrero states share a common history, and the construction of Federal Highway 200, which connects the coasts of both states. ^[2] The people are a mix of Mixtecs, Amuzgos, African Mexican and mestizos. ^[1]

Escaping slavery, many Africans came here to settle in this region, which at the time was isolated and relatively inhospitable. Perhaps for this reason, the region is well known for its independent streak and joy of life. Important towns/municipalities include: Pinotepa Nacional, Pochutla, Puerto Escondido, Puerto Ángel, Juquila, Santa María Huatulco, Jamiltepec, Tututepec, Pinotepa de Don Luis, Cacahuatepec, San Pedro Jicayán, Santos Reyes Nopala, San Gabriel Mixtepec, Loxicha, and Pluma Hidalgo.^[2]

Dance is an important element of the coast’s cultural life. Dance in this area is an amalgam of indigenous, African and Spanish elements, much like the rest of the culture here. Authorites here, including village elders, the town councils, municipal authorities as well as important village figures have worked to keep traditions, such as the "sones" (traditional music) and "chilenas" (dance performed particularly in Pinotepa Nacional) alive. The area hosts an annual ‘’’Coastal Dance Festival’’ with the purpose of preserving and popularizing traditional coast dances.^[3]

One example of local dance is the Petate Bull dance. There are numerous bull dances in Mexico but the version that is performed in Santiago Collates, located near Pinotepa Nacional, is a lively, vivacious dance inspired by local history. This dance is the best-known of the region and was performed in 1911 when Mexican president Francisco Madero visited the village. According to legend, the president was so pleased with the performance that he shook each dancer’s hand and promised them gifts from the capital if they continued to perform the dance. While no such gifts came, the town has continued to perform the dance as part of the town’s yearly festival. Santiago Collates is also known for its version of the Devil’s Dance, which is related to the hardships of slavery and serf-like conditions that both the people of African and indigenous origin had to suffer. Pinotepa Nacional has its well-known Chilena dance, which may be related to the cueca or zamueca dances of South America. Other dances performed in the area include the Turtle Dance, the Tiger Dance, and the old and new versions of the Badger’s Dance. ^[3]

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b Quintanar Hinojosa, Beatriz (August 2007). "[www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx Ciudad de Oaxaca]". Guía México Desconocido: Oaxaca 137: 85.
^ ^a ^b Marín Ruiz, Guillermo. Aquí Oaxaca: Costa. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
^ ^a ^b Oaxaca News. Dances from the Oaxacan Coast. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.