Half Moon Bay: Oaxacan community celebrates Santiago the Apostle

Six months after the Oaxacan community in Half Moon Bay mourned the death of Oaxacans Marciano Martinez and Jose Romero Perez and the other five people killed in a mass shooting, it came together again this past weekend — this time to celebrate.

On Saturday, the Oaxacan community of Santiago Apostol Ocotlan gathered at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church in Half Moon Bay to celebrate Santiago Apostol Day, or St. James, their village’s patron saint.

The celebration began in the morning with a Mass at the church followed by the “Calenda,” a procession around downtown Half Moon Bay. Calenda is the beginning of a big party or celebration in their homeland, where Oaxacans lead the procession with images of St. James as a Mexican live band plays contagious music. Females, from toddlers to adults, wearing huaraches and traditional and colorful handmade outfits, carried baskets decorated with flowers made of paper and Catholic images they carefully held on top of their heads, their hair braided with bright colorful ribbons.

Females from toddlers to adults featured their traditional hairstyle of braids mixed with bright colorful ribbons during Santiago the Apostle day festival, in honor of their village's patron saint in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Saturday, July 29, 2023. The festivity began with a mass at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church, followed by a procession in downtown Half Moon Bay, and concluded with free food, raffles and dance at the church's grounds. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) — Females from toddlers to adults featured their traditional hairstyle of braids mixed with bright colorful ribbons during Santiago the Apostle day festival, in honor of their village’s patron saint in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Saturday, July 29, 2023. The festivity began with a mass at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church, followed by a procession in downtown Half Moon Bay, and concluded with free food, raffles and dance at the church’s grounds. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

The men followed their path carrying different icons, including the famous ”torito,” a little bull made of rigid materials. In Mexico, there is a pyrotechnic torito that runs in different directions as those who tease it sometimes end up injured by the fireworks shot out by the torito.

There were large puppets representing the region’s culture and ancestors. And Mexican cowboys riding on horseback closed the procession. The parade stopped along the route to let the women perform traditional Oaxacan dances from la Guelaguetza, such as el baile de Piña ( dance of the pineapple) as spectators and merchants rejoiced and applauded the lively tradition, a taste of Mexico in America.

“I always wanted to follow the traditions of my parents,” says dancer Veronica Vazquez, 19, of Half Moon Bay, who was born in Oregon but whose parents are from Santiago Apostol Ocotlan. “I’m proud to represent my parents and happy to do all of this,” as she was heading to dance again.

Oaxaca community of Half Moon Bay celebrate Santiago Apóstol day or St. James, the saint patron of their homeland village, Santiago Apóstol. Here is a little taste of their rich tradition and culture. #santiagoapostol #oaxaca #HMB ⁦@mercnews⁩ pic.twitter.com/imZIfvcbwz

— Ray Chavez (@rayinaction) July 29, 2023

In 2001, a small group of Oaxacans from the same village living in Half Moon Bay began to celebrate their tradition with a Mass and a gathering on the church’s patio, says Luis Maya, one of the organizers. Then it became an annual festival, except during the pandemic.

The event is funded with donations from the same community and help from the church, which rents the space to the group at a lower fee for a whole week, Maya said. Another compatriot from the same village donated a bull, which part of it was cooked for barbacoa, a traditional dish made for special occasions. “Everybody is welcome with open arms,” Maya added.

Veronica Vazquez, 19, of Half Moon Bay who was born in Oregon but whose parents are from Santiago Apostol Ocotlan, Oaxaca. Mexico, participates with traditional dance during Santiago the Apostle day festival in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Saturday, July 29, 2023. “I always wanted to follow the traditions of my parents,” says Vazquez. “I’m proud to represent my parents and happy to do all of this.” (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Back at the church, the organizers prepared 1,000 meals served with rice and beans, refreshing waters and tepache, a special drink made of fermented pineapple as they watched more dance performances. The celebration concluded with a big dance from 5 to 10 p.m.

According to Maya, about 400 residents native of Santiago Apostol Ocotlan and their families live in Half Moon Bay, where many work on farms. “Some used to live in HMB, but they left to other cities and states due to the high cost of living and expensive rent,” he says. Some of the visitors, who are from the same village, came from Oregon, Chicago and Los Angeles for the festival.

“We used to (live here) a lot,” Maya added. “But we continue to inculcate our culture and tradition to our children so they don’t lose our roots.”