MEXICO. 2013. Milpa Alta

Putting the wrapped tamales into the oil drums, inwhich they were cooked over open fire. Each line would cook for some 5-6 hours.

From December 13th to 15th, people in Milpa Alta celebrate 'La Rejunta', which is a traditional ceremony tied to the yearly pilgrimage to Chalma, the second most important pilgrimage site in Mexico. Chalma is said by believers to be the place where an apparition of a "black Christ" appeared. This apparition has many resemblances to a prehispanic deity.

On La Rejunta, over 30 000 tamales are prepared communally, on an open ground near the house of the current mayordomo. The tamales are then distributed to townspeople who have donated funds or other voluntary services for the yearly pilgrimage to Chalma in january. Traditional atole drink is also served. During La Rejunta hundreds of locals volunteer for this production.

On the first day, on the Friday 13th, pigs were sacrificed and slaughtered, mazie sheaths were cleaned, and the bread paste and sauces were started to be prepared. On Saturday, the tamales were assembled, and cooked in barrels over open fires. On Sunday townpeople flocked to the site and received tamales according to the amount of money they had donated for the pilgrimage, and drank atole.