Here you are, walking about in the streets of San Miguel, taking in all the colors and smells that surround you. Suddenly, you hear mariachis bursting down the street. Two giant puppets tower above you and a parade of joyful wedding-goers surround you in a whirlwind of laughter and tequila. It is like something straight out of a fairy tale, the experience is truly surreal! So, the question remains…what are these 15ft. tall puppets and where on earth do they come from?

Mojigangas, as they are formally called, originated in Spain and were brought to Mexico in the 1600´s. They were satirically fashioned to ridicule public figures or used as comic relief during religious pilgrimmages. Now, they can be seen throughout San Miguel either hanging out in the town square, or dancing around, leading wedding parades or “callejoneadas” with energy and delight.

What are these giants made of, you ask? Get a load of this: they are literally part firework structure (the body) and part piñata (the head). No joke! It is no wonder these silly giants evoke so much joy, they are made of fireworks and piñatas!

Mojigangas patiently waiting in their closet for their next debut

There are a variety of mojigangas who live in a closet and are chosen according to the look of the newly wedded couple. They are then allowed to dance in the streets giving everyone smiles until they are retired back to their closet, awaiting their next callejoneada.

These puppets are certainly one of the more important ingredients of San Miguel and truly add to the  magic of the town.

Written by Anna Louise Judson

What is it that makes the “callejoneada” or traditional Mexican wedding processional the pure ecstasy that it is? Is it the abundantly flowing tequila served in little “jarritos?” Could it be the energy blasting from the horns of the mariachis leading the parade? Or maybe the outrageoulsy comical “mojiganga” puppets, the massive caricatures created to look like a giant exaggerated version of the couple? Alright, lets be real, all of those are pretty unique and necessary parts that make the callejoneada what it is but the icing on the cake is Benito the donkey.

Alas yes, the party starts with an ass. But really, Benito is the carrier of all things good including baskets filled to the brim with the jarritos that get distributed to each guest as well as the booze for the jarritos. The callejoneada is an intoxicating event, but I am not talking about intoxication via booze.

It is the music of the mariachis exploding vibrantly in each guests ear like one of the bursting Mexican paper flowers while mojigangas dance in front of the procession with the newly weds. The sun sets in the background, the church bells ring in the distance, and the town can not help but feel the undeniable energy of the parade. Utterly intoxicating to all the senses including the soul, one simply can not help but beam at the sight.

It is said that the donkey is a symbol of humility and peace, which is ironic seeing that such festivities the donkey leads are quite the opposite of peaceful. Regardless, we love our trusty pal Benito and all the joy he carries along in his little baskets.

Written by Anna Louise Judson