10 TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS OF SAN LUIS POTOSÍ (MEXICO) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The traditions and customs of San Luis Potosí are represented by those artistic and cultural manifestations of pre-Hispanic origin. These manifestations were adapted with the arrival of the Spanish colonizers.

San Luis Potosí is geographically located in the north central region of Mexico. Consequently, it limits to the north with the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. To the south with the states of Guanajuato, Hidalgo and Querétaro. To the east with the state of Veracruz, and to the west with the states of Jalisco and Zacatecas.

The state of San Luis Potosí is part of the Huasteca Region, which is made up of northern Veracruz, southern Tamaulipas and parts of San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo.

Consequently, it shares traditions and customs both with the states that make up the Huasteca Region and with part of the towns, neighborhoods and colonies of Mexico City (capital of the country).

Most outstanding traditions and customs of San Luis Potosí

1- Patronal Feast of Saint Louis King of France

This patronal feast is celebrated on August 25 in memory of King Louis IX of France, better known as Saint Louis King of France, who died on August 25, 1270 during a crusade in the city of Tunis.

During this festival there are dances and dances, as well as the burning of gunpowder in the facilities of the Potosina National Fair (a fair established in honor of this patronal festival).

2- Potosina National Fair (FENAPO)

Fair held from August 7 to 30, where both the gastronomy and the crafts of San Luis Potosí are exhibited.

They can also find rides, enjoy parties in the Plaza del Mariachi, enjoy theater plays, among others.

The main day of the Fair is August 25, so gunpowder is burned and fireworks are lit.

3- Xantolo (Day of the Dead and Day of the Saints)

Altar for the Day of the Dead, recovered from.com

This festival represents the meeting of the living with their ancestors, it is celebrated during the 1st and 2nd of November.

On November 1, the Day of the Saints is celebrated (dedicated to deceased children). That day they prepare sweets and piloncillo (also known as papelón, panela or chancaca).

They also make prayers, an altar is set up (it can be near the grave or in the house) and they stay awake throughout the night.

On November 2, the Day of the Dead is celebrated (dedicated to the adult dead). That day they prepare Zacahuil (tamales) with chili and in some cases they prepare the food that the deceased liked the most.

They also make prayers, parades, dances, set up an altar and stay awake throughout the night.

4- Feast of Santiago the Apostle

This festival is celebrated on July 25 in honor of Santiago the Apostle.

5- The Devils

Festivity celebrated on Easter Sunday (last day of Holy Week). That day the 'devils' go around the main streets dancing to the sound of music (usually drums), it is common to see them whipping the ground with their whips.

The journey of the devils is also mixed with the burning of Judas, so it is common to see them burning the alebrijes (Mexican crafts), which represent a person from the town who has misbehaved or Judas.

6- Festival of the Virgin of the Remedies

Held from September 1 to 8 in honor of the Virgen de los Remedios. The Festival begins at dawn on September 1 when the devotees sing the mañanitas to the Virgin.

At dawn they place the Virgen de los Remedios in the atrium and there they celebrate the first mass. Throughout the week they perform dances and sales of handicrafts, typical dishes, among others.

7- Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel

The festival of San Miguel Arcángel is celebrated in some neighborhoods and municipalities of San Luis Potosí, among which are the Barrio de San Miguelito and the Mexquitic Municipality of Carmona.

The festival is celebrated through a novena that begins on September 20 when the image of San Miguel Arcángel is lowered. That day the mañanitas sing and a mass is celebrated.

On September 21, a tour of the main streets of the Neighborhood or Municipality with the image of San Miguel Arcángel is made.

The celebration of the Feast of San Miguel Arcángel concludes when the image is uploaded to its niche.

8- Procession of Silence

Procession of Silence, recovered from vmexicoalmaximo.com

It is a procession held on Good Friday, in commemoration of the passion and death of Christ and Our Lady of Solitude.

That day, around 30 brotherhoods participate, among which are: the Brotherhood of the Virgen del Carmen, the Brotherhood of the Holy Burial, the Brotherhood of Ecce Homo, the Brotherhood of Descent, the Brotherhood of Solitude (it is the one that represents Our Lady of Solitude), among others.

It is important to note that each brotherhood wears a tunic of a specific color that represents it. For example, the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Solitude has a purple-colored robe, while the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross wears a golden-colored robe.

The Procession begins on the night of Good Friday, in the Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, making a journey of almost three hours throughout the Historic Center of San Luis Potosí.

The Procession of Silence is one of the most important traditions in this state, attracting thousands of tourists each year. It bears this name because throughout the tour all who attend are silent.

9- Tenths and Walloons

The Decimas and the Walloons are performed in different festivities in San Luis Potosí, being an important part of the Potosí culture. They are characterized by being made up of satirical verses that are accompanied by some musical instruments.

Consequently, it is composed of the spoken part (the verses) and the danced part, since while some pronounce the verses, others must dance.

10- National Enchilada Fair (FENAE)

This fair is held in the Soledad de Graciano Sánchez Municipality. Its main objective is to promote the enchilada potosina.

Exhibitors from all over the country also participate in the fair. Each exponent presents a sample of the enchiladas from their state or region.

References

1. San Luis Potosí, retrieved on August 28, 2017, from bacyardnature.net.
2. Procession of Silence in San Luis Potosí, retrieved on August 28, from Wikipedia.org.
3. San Luis Potosí City, retrieved on August 28, 2017, from wikipedia.org.
4. Folk Dance of Mexico, retrieved on August 28, 2017, from wikipedia.org.
5. San Luis Potosí, recovered on August 28, 2017, from wikipedia.org.
6. San Luis Potosí, retrieved on August 28, 2017, mexfoldance.org.
7. Day of the dead, retrieved on August 28, 2017, from wikipedia.org.