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Aguililla, Michoacán de Ocampo

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Table of Content

Geography 3 Demographics 4 Culture and Tradition 5 The Beginning of in Redwood City 6 Mission and Plan 9

By: Israel Contreras Cervantes and Zaira Contreras

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Aguililla, Michoacan de Ocampo Demographic Profile

Geography

The town of Aguililla, is one of the 113 municipalities that belongs to the estate of Michoacán de Ocampo in Mexico;. This town was founded on June 22, 1877 and it is located southeast of the State, on the ; 290 km from the capital city of , and 273 km from the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, one of the most important in the country. Its territorial extension is of 1.406.39 km2, which represents 2.42% of the territory of the State; bordering the north with the municipalities of and Buenavista; to the South with the municipalities of Tumbuscatío and Coalcomán; to the East with the municipalities of Apatzingán and Tumbiscatío and to the West with the municipalities of Coalcomán and Tepalcatepec

Map of Mexico

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/153A/ Fuente: INEGI. Marco Geoestadístico Municipal 2005, versión 3.1 production/_90843450_mexicotanhuato0816.png INEGI. Información Topográfica Digital Escala 1:250 000 serie III.

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Demographics

According to the INEGI (National Institute of Statistics and Geography) as of 2015, Aguililla counts with a population of 15,241 inhabitants. Its main rivers are: Chapula, Mamey, Chila, Limón, Alberca and Aguililla. The climate is tropical with rain in the summer. There are mixed forest in the upper part of the mountain you can find pine, cedar and oak; while in lower parts we find the parota, cueramo, granadillo, and huizache trees. Aguililla is also as an important source of iron, silver, and bronze, but its main economic activity is livestock and agriculture. In this region the predominating religion is the Roman Catholic with more 70% of population.

Aguililla’s Main Church

Photo by Salvador (DJI)

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Culture and Tradition

In Aguililla most of the culture and traditions relate to the Roman Catholic values. The community’s main celebrations are the following:

Easter

This holiday is celebrated on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, this date is determined every year by the Roman Catholic Church. During this time the community of Aguililla has practiced from generation to generation the tradition of the “Judas”. The “Judas” represent the betrayal of Judas Iscariot to Jesus, men dress up in costumes and go around asking for coins, the coins Judas Iscariot received for turning in Jesus.

Mother’s Day

This is celebrated on May 10th of every year to honor our mothers.

Aguililla’s Anniversary

June 22nd is the town’s anniversary.

Mexico’s Independence

September 16th is a national holiday

Danzas to Virgin of Fatima

An image of the Virgin Fatima is carried throughout the main streets of the town of Aguililla to visit the homes of the people. Every night the Image is received by a different host family where the Virgin Fatima is honored with music and danzas.

Virgen of Guadalupe

December 12th is the celebration of the Virgin Guadalupe, during this day there are celebrations through the town.

“Posadas”, Christmas and New Year’s Photos by Miguel Contreras Flores & Israel Contreras Cervantes The weekend after December 12th is the beginning of the “Posadas” announcing the coming of baby Jesus following by Christmas and New Year’s

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Their music is Mariachi and harp groups. Its main gastronomy is the sopitos and the morisqueta.

Harp Mariachi Group in Aguililla Downtown Aguililla Sopitos Preparation

Photos by Israel Contreras Cervantes

The Beginning of Aguililla in Redwood City

In the early 1940 the first immigrants from Aguililla arrived in Redwood City. And since then the community of Aguililla has increased in Redwood City and its surrounding areas. Many have come to fulfill the American Dream.

In November of 2013, the community of Aguililla, gathered in the city of , Michoacan for an event honoring the hard work of people towards the community of Aguililla. Former Mayor Alicia Aguirre (Mayor of Redwood City during this time) was invited to this event where she was recognized for all the work she has done in our migrant community, this lead to a petition for sisterhood between the city of Redwood City and Aguililla.

To carry out the project we count with the support of the Municipal Council of Aguililla, Michoacán, Secretary of Municipal Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco California, Committee of Sister Cities (One in Redwood City, CA and the other in Aguililla, Michoacan) and “Amigos de Aguililla”.

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The main objective of achieving the sisterhood is to unite and share with our migrant brothers the values, customs, traditions, music and gastronomy for the new generations to know their origins and culture.

In Aguililla, the Sister Cities Committee is integrated by the following members:

Presidente Municipal Israel Mendoza, Licenciado Israel Contreras, Contador Público Rafael López, Licenciado Trinidad Martínez, Ingeniera Ariana López, Licenciado Luis, Alberto Barajas, Licenciado J. Trinidad Mendoza, Licenciada, Gabriela Alonso, Doctor José Enoc Sandoval, Agustín del Rio, Pedro Cornelio, Sra. Elvira Martínez, Doctor Miguel Ángel García, Cantante Antonio Maciel, Miguel Contreras, Ingeniero Carlos Silva, Chava Lara, Arquitecto, Graciano Espinoza, Maestra María Dolores Belinda Salas, Sindico Municipal Alicia Ramos, Zaira Contreras.

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In Redwood City, the Sister Cities Committee is integrated by the following members:

Committee Members:

Uriel Gonzales, Jorge Valencia, Jose Alvarez, Carlos Guizar, Julio Cazares, Rigoberto Morales, Arnoldo Areola, Rogelio Lopez, Israel Contreras and Zaira Contreras

Active Collaborators:

Edith Soto, Juvenal Chavez, David Chávez, Isela Prado. Catalina Valencia,Yxenia Contreras, Heriberto Carranza, María Inés Carranza, Silvia Moreno, Mónica Moreno, Gerardo Godínez, Juana García, Limbania Mota, María Peña.

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Mission and Plan

Mission:

To promote the culture, gastronomy, traditions, customs of Aguililla in Redwood City, as well as to look for the student exchanges between both communities. Recognize the work and economic impact generated by the Aguilillenses in the city of Redwood City.

Plan:

Work in coordination with authorities of Redwood City, Aguililla, Michoacán, Sister cities committees to seek better development and cultural growth between both communities.

The activities that will be carried out in the first year will be the following:

• Easter Week, Saturday of glory; celebration of the judas • Anniversary of Aguililla on June 22, in its first edition • Independence celebration of United States July 4 Parade • Mexican dinner in September, commemorating the independence of Mexico • Danzas to the Virgin of Fatima, in the church of Saint Pius, during the month of October. • Day of death celebration in November.

Past Activities:

Danzas to Virgin Fatima in the month of October, Judas 2016, Aguililla also participated in the150 anniversary anniversary of Redwood City.

Presentation of the book "Aguililla Sus Hombres y su Historia" in June 2012, which was attended by more than 500 people. Alicia Aguirre, as Mayor of Redwood City, gave the keys to the city to the Author Israel Contreras. Danzas to Virgin Fatima in the month of October from 2015 to present time, Judas 2017, Aguililla also participated in the150 anniversary anniversary of Redwood City.

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"Aguililla Sus Hombres y su Historia" in June 2012

McKinley Auditorium Former Mayor Alicia Aguirre and Israel Contreras

“Son de Aguililla” Performance Aguililla Community in Redwood City

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Judas 2017 Photos by Israel Contreras Cervantes

All the activities that have been successful, thanks to the donations of entrepreneurs, construction workers, gardeners, mechanics, cleaning staff, from the community in Redwood City who collaborate to keep our customs and traditions alive.

We are currently working to make "Amigos de Aguililla" in to a non-profit organization. Meanwhile we will continue to work in the continuation of these events listed above with the help of the community.

Redwood City, CA | Oct. 2017