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In any Mexican town you will find a central square; it may have various names, such as "La plaza mayor", "La plaza de armas"or "el zócalo". Around the zócalo you will normally find the "catedral"(cathedral or main church) of the town and the "Ayuntamiento"(city hall). You will also find "tiendas" (stores) and "restaurantes"or "cafés" on two sides. The two sides with the stores, restaurants, cafés and bars may be fronted by "portales" or arches. |
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Los portales |
La catedral |
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El ayntamiento |
In Puebla the catedral is on the south side, with the Ayuntamiento on the north. Ý The west and east sides house various "tiendas", "restaurantes", "cafés"etc. |
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The zócalo itself has a large fountain in the middle and a large
flag pole across from the Ayuntamiento. There are many benches on which
to sit and rest, read or watch the world go by. With large speakers located
throughout the zócalo, music can be heard all day, and at night the
sounds of the many live bands can be heard. During the week there are several
"vendadores" (venders), especially with "globos" (balloons)
(picture) and "refrescos" or "aguas sabores" (soft drinks
or flavored water) (picture). You will also find vendadores that sell fresh
"papitas" (chips) and "helado" (ice-cream). During the
weekend you will find many more vendadores selling various types of foods,
drinks and trinkets, such as "juguetes" (toys) or "joyas"
(jewelry).
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During the weekends the zócalo, various city plazas, and even the streets are filled with locals, tourists, and venders of almost anything you can imagine. You will see venders of food, hair supplies, clothing, toys, jewlery, videos and even household supplies. On the zócalo or one of the larger plazas, you may see an organ grinder complete with monkey or a mime performing for tips. Another group you might see would be the "bailarines" (dancers) performing regional dances. In Mexico D. F. and other towns, you will often see indigenous groups dressed as their ancestors and performing dances native to their culture. Many times there will be concerts or other programs held in the zócalo. The zócalo is also a popular place for political candidates to speak and for various groups to protest.
The weekends are also a busy time for the catedral and other iglesias (churches). Saturdays and Sundays are the days normallly set aside for "bautismos" (baptisms) and "bodas" (weddings) and confirmations. Many times the church may have three or four "bodas" or "bautismos" back to back. The florist will begin setting up for the next event before the previous one is over. The outside of the church may be lined with the flowers for the next event and the people standing, nicely dressed, waiting their turn.
In
Mexican cities, towns and villages the seat of power, both religious and political,
is located around the zócalo. In the past the Zócalo was where
everyone gathered to visit, shop, attend church and to make the decisions that
would affect the community. Prior to being called the zócalo the area
was known as the "Plaza de armas". Why? Since the power is centered
there, during battles, if the enemy could take the center of town, he could
control the whole town. Many battles have taken place on the zócalos.
For example, in Puebla, after the Mexicans won the battle on 5 de Mayo, the
French returned and won the city. That battle and the one to retake the city
by Porfirio Diaz, were fought on the zócalo.
Where did the name "zócalo" come from? When a plaza was built, a foundation for a statue would be placed somewhere in the plaza. Sometimes one will find only the foundation and no statue. The Spanish name for this foundation was, and is, "zócalo". Over time the entire area became known as the "zócalo". Puebla does not have a zócalo in the true meaning of the word, as it has no foundation for a statue.
In Mexico, the zócalo is very important to the people. The importance comes from the historical significance, the social implications and the sense of permanence. All people are welcome to the zócalo, no matter what their social or economic standing is. The zócalo is the center and all else spreads out from here.
Preguntas: Write your answers on your own paper.
What does zócalo mean?
Where is the zócalo located?
What was the original use of the zócalo?
Why is the zócalo important to the Mexican people?
List four things that might be sold at a zócalo.
