Music, masked dancing and Afro-Mexican coastal traditions took center stage at Oaxaca’s first Afro Guelaguetza

Twelve delegations showcased music, masked dances, and coastal customs at Oaxaca's inaugural Afro Guelaguetza on Monday, honoring Afro-Mexican heritage and spotlighting historically under-recognized communities. La Rejunjuneada, or "the gathering," unfolded in Chacahua Isla, a predominantly Afro-descendant community on Oaxaca's Pacific coast, situated within the Costa Chica — a coastal area shared by Oaxaca and Guerrero, which is a historic hub of Afro-Mexican culture.

The festival coincided with Oaxaca's Afro-Mexican People's Day, a recognized observance established in 2013. Prior to the performances on a stage adjacent to Chacahua Lagoon, a procession meandered along the lagoon and through the town's streets.

Afro-Mexican communities are already active participants in Oaxaca's larger July Guelaguetza, which highlights traditions from across the state. For instance, Collantes, an Afro-Mexican town along the coast, sent its Dance of the Devils delegation to the July festival. The key distinction of the Afro Guelaguetza is its focus on dedicated performances of Afro-Mexican traditions and others, rather than merely integrating them into the broader statewide celebration.

Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz emphasized that officially recognizing these communities' histories must also translate into rights, justice, and opportunities.

Villa de Tututepec Mayor Eder Muñoz Peña expressed that the municipality's Chatino, Mixtec, and Afro-Mexican roots were honored, stating that the celebration symbolized both historical justice and cultural pride. The host delegation kicked off the festivities with the Fandango de Varitas. Another community performed the Turtle Dance, while two interpretations of the Dance of the Devils — a highly representative expression of Afro-Mexican culture, featuring dancers adorned in horned masks who stomped and leaped to the rhythm — were also presented.

Enid Azucena Torres Agustiniano also took part. In summer 2020, she became the first Afro-Mexican woman to assume the role of Goddess Centéotl, the main cultural ambassador of the Guelaguetza. According to figures from Conapred, Mexico's federal anti-discrimination agency, 8.6% of residents in Guerrero and 4.7% of Oaxaca identified as Afro-Mexian or Afro-descendant in the 2020 census, compared to 2% nationwide.