Tulane New Orleans, Lousiana Carnival in Veracruz
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Carnival in Veracruz by Linda Curcio-Nagy updated by Laura Barbas Rhoden Editor (1991): L. Curcio-Nagy Editor (1998): Valerie McGinley Marshall published by the Latin American Curriculum Resource Center The Roger Thayer Stone Center for Latin American Studies Slide Packet No. 9 1991; revised 1998 Tulane New Orleans, Lousiana Carnival in Veracruz eracruz was the first Spanish colo the Spanish in August of that year. The Vnial town founded in what would Spanish destroyed Tenochtitlan and built later become the nation of Mexico. Still the Mexico City on its ruins. Thus the area which country’s premiere port, today the city is had formerly been ruled by the Aztecs and famous for its rich historical and cultural other Native American societies became the heritage, including the most famous and viceroyalty of New Spain. elaborate celebration of carnival in Mexico. The route that Cortés’ forces followed Historical Background of Veracruz from Veracruz to Tenochtitlan became the commercial route for all that Europe ex- ported to New Spain, including not only The Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés merchandise, mail, and supplies, but also and his men sailed in 1519 from the Spanish immigrants and slaves. Virtually all of the base in Cuba and landed on the Gulf coast of huge quantities of goods that Mexico sent to Mexico on April 21. They designated the spot Spain also passed through Veracruz. After as “La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz de Cristo” Spain incorporated the Philippines into the (“The Rich Town of the True Cross of Christ”); empire, a second important port was estab- this name was quickly shortened to Veracruz. lished on the Pacific coast at Acapulco, but From Veracruz Cortés launched his famous Veracruz remained the vital link with Spain. expedition against Tenochtitlan, the heart of Goods from the Philippines were transported the Aztec empire in the central valley of overland from Acapulco to Veracruz, then Mexico. Although Cortés commanded fewer reloaded onto ships for transport to Spain. than 700 men (reinforcements increased During the three centuries of Spanish control their numbers to about 1,000 men in 1520), of Mexico, Veracruz served as the main port he was able to form an alliance with the for most of the viceroyalty. Tlaxcalan Indians, longtime enemies of the Aztecs. This alliance was one of two factors As a result, much of the colonial history instrumental in the eventual defeat of the of the city of Veracruz revolved around the Aztecs. The second factor was an epidemic comings and goings of the Spanish fleet. of smallpox, a European disease brought to Although virtually all immigrants to Mexico the region by the Spanish. disembarked in Veracruz, the Spaniards in general considered the very tropical coastal Cortés first entered the Aztec capital in climate to be inhospitable and did not settle 1519 and was warmly received by the ruler there. Most preferred to move to Mexico City, Montezuma. However, tensions soon devel- the viceregal capital and seat of political oped, and the ensuing battle in July 1520 power, or to another area with more temper- resulted in the death of more than 800 Span- ate weather. Therefore a significant portion iards and some 4,000 of their Tlaxcalan of the population of Veracruz was not perma- allies. Cortés retreated, and in 1520-21, an nent. This temporary population swelled epidemic of smallpox decimated the popula- twice a year when the Spanish fleet arrived tion of Tenochtitlan. After regathering his and hundreds of Mexican colonists flocked to forces, Cortés returned to lay seige to the the city for a huge, spectacular trade fair capital in May of 1521. Devastated by dis- where newly arrived merchandise was sold. ease, starvation, and war, Tenochtitlan fell to CARNIVAL IN VERACRUZ 1 The rich cargo of the Spanish trade fleet social order to be relaxed, mocked, and even not only lured merchants to Veracruz; it also completely turned around. Historically, it enticed pirates. The ships that had carried has been described as a time when the expensive manufactured goods from Spain to masses reigned and the traditional roles of Mexico returned to Europe as heavy-laden as vassal and lord were reversed. In medieval they had come to the Americas. In addition times, many rulers believed that carnival was to the profits from the sale of the original an acceptable way to allow potentially dis- cargo, they carried silver and other exports gruntled masses the opportunity to express from Mexico, as well as the taxes that the their dissatisfaction with an oppressive colony paid to Spain. This cargo included the social order. However, by the late Renais- quinto real, a special tax levied upon the sance era, rulers began to worry that the colonists. This tax amounted to one-fifth of mockery inherent in carnival celebrations, in the production of all industries. Hence, the combination with excessive consumption of ships were extremely attractive targets for alcohol, could actually lead to subversion and pirates from other European nations, espe- rebellion. Several cases of rebellion associ- cially England, France, and the Netherlands. ated with carnival festivities took place in Pirates attacked Veracruz at least twice in 16th and 17th-century Germany and France. the 17th century, even though the viceregal authorities built the best fort in the territory, Carnival in the Spanish Colonies San Juan de Ulúa, to defend the city. Despite its potential for social upheaval, Mexican independence from Spain, the carnival tradition arrived in the Americas achieved in 1826, did not spare Veracruz with the European settlers. The Hapsburg from further attack by foreigners. The city monarchs who ruled the Spanish dominions has been invaded by several countries; the until 1700 in some cases even encouraged Unites States has invaded twice.(1) Although festivals such as carnival, in hopes of accul- the port is no longer threatened by pirates turating the indigenous population. In fact, and invasions, the old Spanish fort of San carnival under the Hapsburgs appears to be Juan de Ulúa can still be seen at the edge of closely associated with the masses, particu- the harbor. Today, Veracruz is famous for its larly the Native Americans. During this tropical ambience, seafood, traditional mu- period, tremendous alcohol consumption sic, and the largest and best-known carnival characterized the festivities of carnival. celebration in Mexico. Individuals roamed the streets in masks to hide their identities, and this anonymity Origins of Carnival afforded them a sense of freedom to say and do things that were otherwise not socially Traditionally a three-day period of cel- acceptable. Men frequently dressed as ebration before the beginning of Lent, (2) women, and some women joined in the cha- Carnival has its origins in European pagan rade as men. Revellers also dressed as the customs. In pre-Christian European societ- clergy, conquistadors, and government offi- ies, there was an important celebration of cials, but they never went so far as to mock the beginning of spring and the planting the Inquisition. The elite watched festivities season. In the Christian tradition, carnival from their balconies and engaged in verbal allowed a time of relaxation before the sol- mockery with the revellers on the streets. emn penitential period of Lent. Carnival season permitted feasts, revelry, and drunk- The festivities also included dancing in enness; it also allowed for the established the streets and the dance of the 2 CARNIVAL IN VERACRUZ huehuenches. This particular indigenous that period. This growth is due in large part dance called for young men to dress as old to recent economic successes of the state of men and to perform for the crowd. No com- Veracruz. Much of the petroleum, Mexico’s plete description of the dance is known, but main export, is located off the coast of the colonial officials who mentioned it in their state. In addition, the state is the source of reports consistently associated it with pre- much of Mexico’s sulphur, sugar, cattle, Columbian dances. One of the huehuenches vanilla, tropical fruits, seafood, and coffee. volunteered to play the part of a character known as Juan Carnival. On carnival Tues- Each decade marks the expansion of the day, a mock trial took place, and Juan Carni- carnival celebrations in the city. The state val was found guilty of a crime and “hanged.” and municipal governments are active par- ticipants and sponsors of many of the cul- Carnival as described above, however, tural events and activities that round out the did not fare well under the Bourbon mon- festivities. Carnival season begins in archs who controlled Spain and its dominions Veracruz one week before Shrove Tuesday. from 1700 until the independence move- The festivities of this first day include a ments of the early 19th century. Beginning in parade of costumed children and the desfile the early 1700s, laws were decreed with the de mal humor. The mal humor is an effigy express purpose of altering the nature of figure designed to represent all the “negative carnival in the viceroyalty. Eventually the spirits” that might inhibit the fun of carnival. festival was completely banned in the capital, At the end of the parade, it is ceremoniously and it was not introduced in the new north- burned in the central plaza, marking the ern frontier settlements. Carnival was per- official beginning of the Veracruz carnival. ceived as a tradition that encouraged licen- tiousness, scandalous behavior, and even The selection and subsequent crowning subversion. Carnival celebrations were of the Reyes infantiles (child king and queen) eventually reinstated on a much smaller form an important part of carnival in scale in some communities in the late 19th Veracruz. The state governor’s wife, the century.