More than 20 thousand Guatemalans crossed into Mexico this Friday through Suchiate River to celebrate the ‘Feast of the Lord of the Three Falls’, an indigenous festival that takes place on the first Friday of Lent and in which Central Americans take the opportunity to shop freely.
The religious festival in Ciudad Hidalgo, in the Mexican state of Chiapas, also contributes to the economy on the borders of Mexico and Guatemala due to the purchases made by parishioners.
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The walk of Guatemalans begins from Tecún Umán to venerate the ‘Lord of the three falls’, the image of Jesus with the cross on his back.
Every year about 20 thousand Guatemalans cross on rafts or on foot to Mexico.
“We are happy to come to Mexico because we buy everything we want and we take it to our house, all the cookies that the children want, we also visit the Lord of Esquipulas at the church, see the mass and we return to our country ”Guatemalan Juana told EFE.
This mother of a family has been leaving for six years to take advantage of the festivities and go to Mexico.
Traditions
In the border river, men and women from cantons, villages and places were observed walking in the middle of the tributary, carrying tubs, bags of cookies, diapers, fruits, basic basket items and fried foods.
Mainor, another visitor who crossed into Mexico from Quetzaltenango, came to venerate the ‘Christ of the three falls’ for all the things he has given them.
This Guatemalan carried a drum and a box of cookies on his shoulders and at his side was his family, who was happy to visit Ciudad Hidalgo.
He pointed out that they continue to preserve traditions because for hundreds of years their ancestors and grandparents left their indigenous communities to cross to Mexico during the fair held by merchants.
“Now in this time, since it is free passage, there we feel free from here to there, it is a blessing”he expressed.
Rosario Piña, a Mexican merchant from the state of Puebla, recalled that they come to the Suchiate fair every year to sell their products.
This merchant said that her relatives have passed the custom from generation to generation.
