Mexican Religious Festivals

The general population responded well to governmentsponsored spectacle, even to the inquisitorial trials in which the public was known to shout disparaging remarks at individuals who refused to correct their ways and accept Catholic orthodoxy. Other festivals such as the entrance of Corpus Christi, briefly suspended the toils and hardships of daily life. Festivals attracted large numbers of visitors from the hinterland and usually coincided with market day. In the case of large urban areas, it appears as though out-of-town visitors acted very much like tourists, seeing the marvels of the celebration as well as the wonders of the city itself such as palaces and shops filled with luxurious imported items. Additionally, festivals also represented a boom to taverns and pulquerías as well as the popular theatrical performances. Spontaneous popular entertainments and activities such as dance parties continued into the night and well after the official events were finished, all to the chagrin of some religious leaders, who pointed out the large number of scandalous and sinful acts that were committed and the large quantities of alcohol consumed. This lively ex-officio street fun was connected to almost all major public festivals including religious activities, except for Easter. Feasting, dancing, merrymaking, and drinking were integral parts of the events for spectators and blurred the line between the sacred and profane.

These festivals also had economic ramifications. Businesses were closed but only after a boom of economic activity as city officials commissioned cloth, tapestry, clothing, fireworks, bleachers, platforms, and arches from musicians, dancers, artists, carpenters, bakers, architects, and manual laborers. Festivals amounted to a large transfer of wealth from municipal and royal government (since much of the funds actually were borrowed from Crown accounts) back to tributeand taxpayers. Eventually, the local authorities developed a system of economic patronage with a variety of artisans and artists. This was also a way for these citizens to obtain privileges in political or other matters from the authorities.