Mexico. Fiesta of the Pastorelas

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Description

In "My Americas," Mexican American hosts Roberto Alcaraz and Leticia Vásquez travel into the rich cultural and spiritual life of Latin America in search of their heritage. In this program, Roberto visits the Lake Patzcuaro region of Michoacán to witness pageants in which masked "devils" square off against sword wielding angels. Introduced by Spanish missionaries and resembling indigenous plays, pastorals are still popular throughout Mexico. While visiting Purepecha villages settled around the lake, he learns about ecological changes threatening local fishing and traditional ways of life. Finally, he joins the pastorela celebration, during which food is shared according to communal values and children carry on Purepecha cultural practices-highlighting the struggle to preserve Lake Patzcuaro for future generations.