The TAMIU version of Las Posadas features traditional dances as well as a new
regional dance or a dance from a different era.
The celebration recreates Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth
to Bethlehem as they searched for shelter.
The TAMIU Ballet Folklórico uses authentic costumes, traditional
music and dance steps from a forgotten era in Mexican history.
(Laredo)—For the past 10 years, Laredoans have braved chilly weather to participate in one of Texas A&M International University’s oldest student-led traditions, the annual Las Posadas, produced by the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico.
The traditional nightly celebrations recreate Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem as they searched for shelter.
More than 400 years ago, Fray Diego de Soria organized las posadas, which means “inn” or “to give lodging,” to teach Aztecs about Christianity and to counteract the Aztecs’ own winter celebration, which took place roughly around Dec. 7 through 26. Traditional posadas are celebrated Dec. 16 through 24. More than 800 attended the event at TAMIU Dec. 1.
“It was begun by the members of the Student Government Association and the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico in 1997,” said Gabriela Mendoza-García, director and founder of the Ballet Folklórico. “This celebration began as a very simple event and has grown, becoming a well-loved tradition.”
In the traditional nightly celebrations, participants form two groups: innkeepers and pilgrims. The pilgrims, led by a child dressed as an angel, carry a statue of Mary and Joseph and lit candles as they make their way to three houses, asking for shelter as they sing traditional verses.
The residents of the first two houses refuse, but innkeepers at the third house grant the group lodging. The celebration then begins with traditional Christmas carols, tamales, punch and colaciones (traditional Mexican candy) and a piñata for the children.
While Las Posadas at TAMIU don’t follow the traditional timeline, it does keep many traditional features, while adding its own signature to the entertainment portion of the celebration.
“Guests stroll through the TAMIU campus and are treated to entertainment that includes dances from across different regions and states of México,” said Mendoza-García.
Participants meet at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall and then break up into three groups. One group follows Mary and Joseph. Mary is usually a well-known member of the community who has contributed to the Ballet Folklórico. This year, Mary was depicted by San Juanita Hunter, a local dance instructor.
The group walks to the Student Center while holding candles and singing the traditional verses, and returns to the Recital Hall after the group inside the Student Center turns them away.
The other two groups also sing and ask for lodging in different parts of the Recital Hall. After the last group gives them lodging, the celebration features performances by the Ballet Folklórico.
The Ballet Folklórico performs different regional dances and usually debuts a new regional dance or a dance from a different era. Performances have included dances found in the Mexican states of Nayarit, Michoacán, Puebla, Sinaloa, Jalisco, Colima and from the Porfirorato era.
“Each region of Mexico has its own dance traditions with Native American, European and African influences. The TAMIU Ballet Folklórico strives to preserve the traditional folk dances of Mexico by utilizing authentic costumes, traditional music and recreating the dance steps of a forgotten era in Mexican history,” said Mendoza-García.
The entertainment also includes performances by folklórico groups from various elementary, middle and high schools, and TAMIU’s Ballet Folklórico Juvenil, a children’s group.
After the performances, the children go outside and take turns hitting a piñata. The crowd then makes its way to the Student Center for dinner. This year, Target sponsored the event and audience members enjoyed tamales, beans, rice and punch.
“The response was tremendous. We had close to 800 people attend this year. The students and the community have made it an annual tradition to start their Christmas with us, and we are honored to offer them this special opportunity,” said Mendoza-García.