Palm Sunday Puerto Vallarta Style

Palm Sunday (in Spanish El Domingo de Ramos) is celebrated in Mexico, like it is in the US, with the handing out of palm fronds . But what’s really unique is that the evening before, artisans (some who travel from outlying villages or even from other states) camp out in front of the city’s main church (Our Lady of Guadalupe) with a large variety of figures of both Jesus and the Virgin of Guadalupe crafted out of palm fronds, string, glitter and other materials. They continue working late into the night to be ready to sell to the church goers all the next day.

I’m always impressed by the creativity of the items they make and offer for sale. Each year, there are new designs and something interesting. I’ve been collecting this art for several years now and still think it’s the most beautiful and original Mexican artwork available in Puerto Vallarta.

Mexico is a Christian country and this holiday is about Jesus but as usual, it’s really the Virgin who seems to predominate and stand out. Many attribute the adoption of Christianity by the indigenous people to Juan Diego’s sighting of the Virgin of Guadalupe. I think these depictions of the Virgin using these materials really shows the essence of that bridge between the “new” European religion and indigenous culture.