History, heritage and horchata: Olvera Street celebrates Mexican tradition
- Liz Hanna, Features Editor, Stephanie Morales, Managing Editor, and Vie Cabrera, Arts + Culture Editor
- 0
Bustling crowds marched along the cobblestones of Olvera Streetin Los Angeles to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican American holiday that commemorates the 19th-century Mexican victory in the Battle of Puebla against French soldiers. Olvera Street offers rich insights into the history of what some consider to be “the birthplace of Los Angeles.”
Singer Jorge Felino performed on the plaza at the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument on Cinco de Mayo.
“The traditions of Mexico are here, and I like the way they are celebrated,” he said.
Donning a traditional charro outfit, singer Jose “El Jaliciense” Orozco said he feels at home performing at Olvera Street. He was one of many to take the stage, along with Felino, showcasing the different styles of music and culture seen throughout Mexico.
“We have been singing here for many, many years for events celebrating the traditions of Mexico and Cinco de Mayo,” Orozco said. “I like Olvera Street because it feels like we are back in Mexico when we come here.”
In contrast to the surrounding unassuming urban Main Street and Alameda Street, Olvera boasts beautiful bold colors of its Mexican culture.
The marketplace was revived in 1930 by California socialite Christine Sterling who once said, "Out of the hearts of the Mexican people is spun the gold of romance and contentment. No sweeter, finer people live on this earth than the men and women of Mexico."
Olvera Street is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for business. The street also hosts celebrations throughout the year.
These Mesoamerican calendars hang at a booth on Olvera Street. They are a depiction of the ancient stone carvings that have been the source of much speculation by archaeologists as to its true meaning and significance to the Aztecs.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
The performers of La Danza Azteca at the Cinco de Mayo celebration at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, used their dances and songs as a form of prayer in honor of fire, water, earth, fertility and the harvest.
Also known as concheros, they donned feathered headdresses and elaborate clothing during their performance. The combination of wind instruments, drums, guitar and the rattles made of shells around their ankles made for a powerful display of tradition.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
Los Tecuanes de Los Angeles performed their traditional dance with the crack of a whip nearby as the costumed Tecuani (Jaguar and spiritual figure in Mesoamerican culture) lurked about them at the Danza de los Tecuanes at the Cinco de Mayo celebration at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.
“We call ourselves Tecuanes which is a Nahuatl word from the virginal language of Mexico before the Spanish colonized it,” performer Gerardo Martinez said. “We [simulate] fighting the threat of the Jaguar that keeps threatening our own villagers and we are trying to express pride as the people of the puebla who originated from the same village that fought against France.”
Los Tecuanes de Los Angeles have been performing for four generations, two in Mexico and two in LA, and are proud to keep their tradition alive in the heart of Los Angeles, according to Martinez.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
A collection of lucha libre masks, symbolic in Mexican professional wrestling, hang on display at one of the many shops selling them throughout Olvera Street. The masks have become a mainstay in the country’s pop culture scene and have trickled over to America with movies such as “Nacho Libre” portraying the mystique surrounding them.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
Traditional Mexican clothing displayed in front of a shop on Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles. The huipil is a dress made of colorful fabrics and adorned with designs depicting the cultural symbols of Mexico. Serapes are boldly designed blanket-like shawls with fringed ends primarily worn by men. Often seen worn during celebrations, the sombrero with its wide brim is an iconic symbol.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
Vendor Bessie Trigueros has been at her current store for two years, selling traditional Mexican blankets, pottery, handbags and numerous other decorative items to visitors from all over the world.
“We get tourists from Europe and other states like Colorado, Washington and they come here because it’s unique,” Trigueros said.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
Sharon Aranda took a two-hour train ride from Ventura County to Olvera Street in anticipation of the camaraderie and festivities. She is half-Mexican, and appreciates the opportunity to be able to connect with her heritage along with fellow members of the community. She highlighted the food and Aztec dancers among her favorites during her trip to Olvera Street.
“We wanted to come and do something different for Cinco de Mayo, so we thought this would be the perfect place to spend the day and enjoy the culture,” Aranda said.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
More like this...
These Mesoamerican calendars hang at a booth on Olvera Street. They are a depiction of the ancient stone carvings that have been the source of much speculation by archaeologists as to its true meaning and significance to the Aztecs.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
The performers of La Danza Azteca at the Cinco de Mayo celebration at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, used their dances and songs as a form of prayer in honor of fire, water, earth, fertility and the harvest.
Also known as concheros, they donned feathered headdresses and elaborate clothing during their performance. The combination of wind instruments, drums, guitar and the rattles made of shells around their ankles made for a powerful display of tradition.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
Los Tecuanes de Los Angeles performed their traditional dance with the crack of a whip nearby as the costumed Tecuani (Jaguar and spiritual figure in Mesoamerican culture) lurked about them at the Danza de los Tecuanes at the Cinco de Mayo celebration at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.
“We call ourselves Tecuanes which is a Nahuatl word from the virginal language of Mexico before the Spanish colonized it,” performer Gerardo Martinez said. “We [simulate] fighting the threat of the Jaguar that keeps threatening our own villagers and we are trying to express pride as the people of the puebla who originated from the same village that fought against France.”
Los Tecuanes de Los Angeles have been performing for four generations, two in Mexico and two in LA, and are proud to keep their tradition alive in the heart of Los Angeles, according to Martinez.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
A collection of lucha libre masks, symbolic in Mexican professional wrestling, hang on display at one of the many shops selling them throughout Olvera Street. The masks have become a mainstay in the country’s pop culture scene and have trickled over to America with movies such as “Nacho Libre” portraying the mystique surrounding them.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
This historical marker bearing the date, Sept. 4, 1781, commemorates the arrival of 44 people from the Gulf of California who came to establish its new pueblo, the City of Los Angeles.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
Traditional Mexican clothing displayed in front of a shop on Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles. The huipil is a dress made of colorful fabrics and adorned with designs depicting the cultural symbols of Mexico. Serapes are boldly designed blanket-like shawls with fringed ends primarily worn by men. Often seen worn during celebrations, the sombrero with its wide brim is an iconic symbol.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
A sculpture of Frida Kahlo sits beside the entrance to a shop on Olvera Street, a part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument and among the oldest streets in LA.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
Vendor Bessie Trigueros has been at her current store for two years, selling traditional Mexican blankets, pottery, handbags and numerous other decorative items to visitors from all over the world.
“We get tourists from Europe and other states like Colorado, Washington and they come here because it’s unique,” Trigueros said.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
Sharon Aranda took a two-hour train ride from Ventura County to Olvera Street in anticipation of the camaraderie and festivities. She is half-Mexican, and appreciates the opportunity to be able to connect with her heritage along with fellow members of the community. She highlighted the food and Aztec dancers among her favorites during her trip to Olvera Street.
“We wanted to come and do something different for Cinco de Mayo, so we thought this would be the perfect place to spend the day and enjoy the culture,” Aranda said.
- Photo by Stephanie Morales
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