COMPARE “THE CALAVERAS”

The first troupe of the municipal seat in Chimalhuacán, Mexico is “LAS CALAVERAS” and
was born in 1948; in the aftermath of the Second World War. He performs the quadrillas and
virginias that imitate the dances of the European cortez, which the Emperor Maximilian of
Habsburg brought with him, during the French intervention of the 19th century.
In an interview with Portal, Alfredo Valencia, president of the 'LAS CALAVERAS' troupe, tells
the history, meaning and significance of this festival.
Initially, with 100 years of celebration, the carnival emerged as an act of protest to make
visible the abuses carried out by the upper class in the entity. Over the years, it was adopted
as a tradition in which, through dance and imported attire, the preparation and celebration of
Lent is sought.
In the “LAS CALAVERA” troupe, you can find adults who started in their childhood, in the 50s
or 60s, and today continue to parade and instill this activity in new generations, because it is a
family tradition that is inherited from parents. and mothers to daughters and sons.
“LAS CALAVERAS” has become a family troupe, in which the elders try to pass the tradition
on to their children. As it is a relatively new troupe, it does not have much financial support.
The delegation usually favors the oldest troupes; The money comes from the contributions of
its members, which represents an average expense of 15,000 pesos each year.
The whole family participates in one way or another; Some prepare breakfast or meals so that
the entire troupe can eat together during the four days of celebrations; Other members, who
are carpenters or blacksmiths, help in the construction of the cars or in the weaving of the
clothes.
Every year the troupe chooses its queen. To do this, they launch the call among their
members and any woman between 14 and 25 years old can participate in it. Among the
companions, a godfather is sought who will crown the chosen one. The members of the
troupe vote for their favorite and the winner becomes sovereign and the rest of the women
their princesses. They all get on the float on the day of the parade.