The History of Guelaguetza and Community Cooperation among the Zapotec of the Oaxacan Central Valley

Historian Xochitl Flores-Marcial explores the Zapotec tradition of Guelaguetza, one of several Mesoamerican indigenous systems of reciprocal gift exchange. This important custom has been used by Zapotecs of the Oaxacan Central Valley in distributing resources since pre-Columbian times to the present day. In terms of an internal indigenous system, Guelaguetza has been valuable in reinforcing individual social responsibility that ultimately benefits the community as a whole.

Following the lecture, author Diana Kennedy and LACMA curator Victoria Lyall will join Ms. Flores-Marcial to discuss the importance of food in the Oxacan festival of Guelaguetza. Ms. Kennedy will also sign copies of her recent cookbook Oaxaca al Gusto: An Infinite Gastronomy (University of Texas Press, 2010) at 3:30 pm.

This program is held in conjunction with the exhibition Children of the Plumed Serpent: The Legacy of Quetzalcoatl in Ancient Mexico.

Bing Theater | Free, no reservations

Image: Pectoral with Calendrical Notations, 700–1300, Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, photo ©  Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (CONACULTA-INAH-MEX)