Insights into Festival Pyrotechnics

We've heard different explanations for the loud booms occasionally heard during the days, evenings and sometime late nights; something about helping the dead get into heaven...

Is there an official "name" for this custom and is it something practiced across all of Mexico?

Thanks in advance for being our maestro.

I am not sure of the exact reasons why the church fires off the cohete's. There are differing opinions. I think the majority of the ones you hear at random times are kids having fun.

Sometimes they are sponsored (by churches, organizations, barrios) and sometimes freelance. Whatever the originating folklore I think they are now largely celebratory and observing tradition--or kids having fun.

I have been guilty of firing a few myself.........jaja.

Good information - thank you both. Maybe someone will have the folklore story.

When they did the pre easter parade with Jesus on cross up the mountain they fired off a great big charge that I was told represented Jesus rising.  I jumped about a foot and I am use to booms from Zaragoza. So yes religion is part of the booms for sure.  However anybody can buy them including our fearless leader
Bob so I am sure one or two are from the civilians now and than.

Z

We have a regular supplier and keep a few on hand for when the mood strikes and celebrations.

@Zed.....that big charge could have been a "RISTRA" that is a large amount of exploding charges all linked together...

gvprod wrote:@Zed.....that big charge could have been a "RISTRA"   that is a large amount of exploding charges all linked together...

It was behind me on the hill and it was very very loud. Louder than anything heard down here in six years. I can't imagine how loud it was on the roof.



Z

The photo below shows the firing of a 36 inch 500 pound shell.  This was the largest ever shot off in North America and the shell went one mile into the sky before exploding and the display was a mile across:
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You can bet that there was a large explosion and no doubt where it came from!

The Gringos in San Miguel de Allende are so far ahead of the curve it is scary. Now they want to ban cohetes! Sounds to me like something that would have originated in San Miguel de Allende North aka Santa Fake.

Today is Mexico's "Labor Day" and Saturday is Dia de la Santa Cruz - Day of the Holy Cross.  Here is an excerpt from:
May Festivals and Events in Mexico

Dia del Trabajo - Labor Day
Nationwide, May 1st
This is a national public holiday in Mexico. There are political and labor union marches and official speeches. Schools, banks and government offices are closed.

Dia de la Santa Cruz - Day of the Holy Cross
Nationwide, May 3rd
This celebration dates back to colonial times. Construction workers decorate crosses with flowers and mount them on buildings under construction, and have picnics at the site, followed by fireworks.

Judy King's new book (available locally) has a lengthy explanation about the Day of the Cross.  Here's a bit of her article:

If you woke up to the sound of skyrockets this morning, you know you’re in Mexico! There are two major holidays to celebrate today, and you’ll hear the reminders all day long.

First and foremost, today is the the Day of the Holy Cross or El Día de Santa Cruz; the whole country will be decorating the crosses in and around their villages and towns. If that wasn’t enough, it is also the feast day of the construction workers and in a sort of macho rivalry each construction crew strives to light more of the giant skyrockets to remind everyone within earshot that their team is best honoring the day and the cross – the proof is being able to afford all the cohetes to honor the Holy Cross.

Processions, Mass, Music and Brandy

As dawn breaks, the frequency of the cohetes increases, waking the men and calling them to an early morning prayer service in their honor. To ward off any possibility of chill during the pre-dawn hours, an abundant supply of brandy and rompope (milk-based liquor) is carried in the procession to the church.

Buy the book for a wealth of information about our part of paradice...

Seems like lots of cohete's in the next few days....

CheenaGringo wrote:The Gringos in San Miguel de Allende are so far ahead of the curve it is scary.  Now they want to ban cohetes!

Seriously? Where did you hear that? That's funny.

Some chatter on the Yahoo Michoacan message board.

Maybe Hector and Harry can make that their next vision for Ajijic? After all, they don't want to be falling behind San Miguel de Allende in "Gringoizing"!

P

CheenaGringo wrote:Maybe Hector and Harry can make that their next vision for Ajijic?  After all, they don't want to be falling behind San Miguel de Allende in "Gringoizing"!

Why do you say that? When is the last time you were even here?  What are you talking about?
 The few improvements that are getting done are not only for the benefit of the ex-pats, like handicapped ramps on street corners, the pending paving on the tianguis  and other projects...
  Do you think only gringos have trouble crossing streets with high curbs or walking on Revolucion when they shop?
  If you cared about Ajijic like Harry and other ex-pats and Mexicans on the committee to help Hector,  you would have your tushie  here pronto and support them.

We only visit Pueblos Mágicos but have heard the rumor that Ajijic is on the waiting list!