May Holidays: 3 Cheers for Mexican History
Tara A. Spears Nayrit Editor
The sacrifice and battles of the Mexican workers more than one hundred years ago are commemorated during the month of May. The first week of May is packed with three Mexican holidays: Worker’s Day, May 1; Day of the Cross, May 3; and Cinco de Mayo, May 5. Only May 1st is a Mexican national holiday in which schools, banks and some businesses are closed; the other two days are social observances that vary by region. Here in the Riviera Nayarit, these designated days are very understated as there are no parades or large community celebrations, just family fiestas and individuals enjoying an extra day off work.
Labor Day, Día del Trabajo, May 1: Mexico’s Labor Day being observed on May 1st does have history behind it. In 1906, the fledgling labor unions were struggling to get better working conditions and better pay for many occupations. This movement met with government and big business repression that boiled over into confrontations in the cities of Cananea, Sonora and Rio Blanco, Veracruz. It was in 1913 that Labor Day was celebrated for the first time in Mexico, when 20 thousand workers marched and demanded the government to implement the eight-hour working day. But it wasn’t until 1925 when President Plutarco Elías Calles established the celebration officially. Labor Day in Mexico means no government office works. There are no banks, postal services, and many restaurants close as well.
Labor Day isn’t all rest and relaxation, however. In some areas this day is used as a time to peacefully protest against the issues that might arise between a company and its employees. There are several labor unions that unite together to protest specifically on this day to get better health benefits, better treatment, etc. In larger cities you can see different companies protesting on main streets and in front of city halls on Labor Day. Labor Day 2015 shocked the country when a cartel staged a multi-state violent protest against a federal law enforcement initiative.
Holy Cross Day, May 3, Día de la Santa Cruz: I have seen this occasion celebrated locally when construction workers decorate and mount crosses on unfinished buildings. As the Mexican construction industry has flourished in this country for the last 20 years and with a strong construction industry the celebration of the feast day of the construction workers has gained importance.
Religious Origins: This celebration originally was a Catholic Church feast day but over time, the construction workers adopted as their own. The Church services May 3 provide a blessing of the colorfully decorated crosses which are carried in procession by the bricklayers and masons. This special mass asks for the protection of the workers on the job, gives thanks for their safety and success during previous year, and asks for continued good projects, good work conditions, and good salary in the coming year. Many crews fasten a cross that is brightly decorated with crepe paper flowers and streamers onto the uppermost section of the building, continuing the tradition that began with the building of churches by the Spanish in the 1500’s.
In some areas, the workers burn copal, a pungent incense, have music and fireworks to frighten any loitering evil spirits from the building site. In the 21st Century, puffs of smoke often dot the sky marking the construction sites. The crews of joyful and thankful workers release sky rockets, though the workers might no longer remember that originally the fireworks were to clear the area of dangerous spirits. Over the centuries, masons came to make this their own celebration, and they and their families now have a special feast on this day. In some areas May 3rd is called Mason day, rather than Dia de la Santa Cruz. As one local worker explained, “That day, the architects or owners of the construction invite us for lunch and a few beers… that’s how they honor us on our day.”
As part of the traditional Day of the Holy Cross celebration on May 3, after mounting the decorated cross work ends at noon. The patron, the owner of the project, begins the next phase of the festival with tequila toasts, known as copitas. The owner toasts the success of the project and the health and happiness of the crew. He also sponsors a comida (midday meal). This reflects the pre-Columbian custom of placing food and drink on specially constructed altars to dedicate new buildings, and to please the gods. Carne Asada, thinly sliced beef, is prepared onsite on a grill by one of the workers. The grilled meat will be served with beans, guacamole, salsa Mexicana, (very, hot chile sauce,) and mounds of tortillas and plenty of cold beer.
Cinco de Mayo: This special day In May is probably best known to the international visitor as it is celebrated in many countries. The fifth of May commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. Who doesn’t want an excuse to drink tequila? Cinco de Mayo traditions include town parades, mariachi music performances, and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the United States. In Nayarit, Labor Day is the most celebrated and not much happens on the 5th.
As summer gets underway, the first week of May is a well deserved tribute to the talented and industrious Mexican workers.