Carnival on the outskirts
One day I arrived in Tlaltenco without expecting anything, and in the end, it could be said that I fell in love.
San Francisco Tlaltenco is one of the seven original towns of the Tláhuac borough, nestled on the outskirts of Mexico City, south of the imposing Sierra de Santa Catarina. Its name, composed of the Nahuatl words “Tlalli” and “Tentli,” means “On the Edge of the Earth” or “On the Edge of the Hills,” a poetic description that seems to whisper tales of ancient and proud times.
In October 2023, I received an unexpected invitation from the talented local photographer Patricia Lugo (@patlugo), a call to join one of the many festivities that bring Tlaltenco to life.
I accepted, not knowing that I was about to embark on a journey that would transform my senses and my heart.
Patricia, with her contagious spark, has always known how to celebrate the traditions and beauty of her town with a devotion that is hard to ignore. And that night, as the rain fell heavily, I understood why.
I attended one of the many “Quema de Toros,” a ritual where earth and fire dance in harmony through the streets. Despite the relentless rain, the locals were undeterred; they kept dancing through the streets with a joy so pure it seemed to defy the sky.
As night fell, the “Toros,” wooden frames armed with fireworks, came to life.
During those days, the doctor had just informed me that I had a heart condition, which should have compelled me to keep my distance, but the magic of the moment held me captive—I had to be there.
The scent of gunpowder, the dancing lights of the fireworks, and the echo of the music intertwined, wrapping me in an indescribable tableau of life and passion. The crowd, sparkling and drenched, danced to the rhythm of the sparks that lit up the night.
I ended up with my backpack and clothes scorched, drenched and scented with the acrid aroma of gunpowder. All I could think was, “I must keep photographing these people.” That was when my interest in the Carnival began.
The Carnival of Tlaltenco is generally celebrated in the period leading up to “Cuaresma” and is distinguished by its colorful parades, live music, dances, and striking costumes.
Comparsas, groups of dancers and musicians organized by local families and communities, parade through the streets with contagious vitality.
These groups wear traditional costumes and often don masks that represent historical, mythological, or caricatured figures, all accompanied by the rhythmic energy of wind bands and drummers.
During my several visits , one thing that always left me breathless about the Carnival was the way participants, with a passion that could only be born from generations of tradition, danced and walked tirelessly, mile after mile, hour after hour.
The town's streets became a vibrant tapestry of lady’s dresses and charro suits, moving to the rhythm of Tlaltenco’s traditional music, a symphony that resonated in every corner of the place.
The entire town came together in a celebration that overflowed with life.
Families flung their doors wide open, with a generosity that defied explanation, inviting even strangers like me to share a drink and a plate of food.
Meanwhile, children and adults crowded the streets, climbed rooftops, posts, and walls, eager to catch a glimpse of the Carnival Queen in her procession, escorted by her ladies and proud charros.
To witness such kindness, such genuine emotion on the faces of those people, could only make me smile.
There was something profoundly moving about being there, witnessing those moments and being able to capture them through my lens was a privilege that filled my heart with joy, a happiness that transcended photography and became pure gratitude
This gave rise to my photographic series “Carnival on the Outskirts,”
This series seeks to capture how traditions can harmonize with modernity, strengthening the bonds and identity of Tlaltenco’s residents while reaffirming a profound sense of belonging that is passed down from generation to generation, from family to family.
Now I can say that Tlaltenco had become more than just a name: it was a shared heartbeat, a love that remains on the edge of memory.
