San Miguel Dueñas Convite celebrates the arrival of the New Year

Those lucky enough to experience a Guatemalan Convite street dance will immediately discover some of the uniqueness of Guatemala. Most visitors quickly discover that Guatemalans love to celebrate holidays and fiestas. Such is the case in the pueblo of San Miguel Dueñas, located near Antigua, Guatemala. The San Miguel Dueñas Convite takes place on December 30th. Spaswinefood has long discovered that Christmas and New Year's Eve are not the only time for celebrations during December. In fact December is a whole month of celebrations. Let's dance.

San Miguel Dueñas Covite Dancers © Spaswinefood

Let the Dance Begin: Covite Dancers © Spaswinefood

Each December 30th in San Miguel Dueñas, Sacatepéquez the conviteros celebrate and pay homage to the Virgin of the New Year. This past two year I have viewed the Convite on Calle Real. The costumed street dance begins shortly after midday. The convite continues through the day and ends up in front of the Palacio Municipal and the San Miguel the Archangel Parish Church around ten at night. Usually the children’s groups march first, followed by the older dance groups. There are also decorated floats and various costumed characters. This year’s "Convite de Mi Pueblo" included 60+ conviteros who danced to loud music and live marimbas.

Convite de Mi Pueblo
Just before the dancing began the conviteros (dancers) lined up in Calle Real. I secured a spot in the shade to take photos.

San Miguel Dueñas Covite 2016 © Spaswinefood

Soon the conviteros were dancing to the music, as they moved up and down the street.

San Miguel Dueñas Covite © Spaswinefood

Convite Dancers, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

After the dance begins the characters immediately come to life within the dance group. A female pair dressed in red and gold take center stage near my viewing point.

Dancing Pair, San Miguel Dueñas Covite © Spaswinefood

The red and gold conviteros are soon followed by other dancing pairs.

Dancing Pairs, San Miguel Dueñas Covite © Spaswinefood

Soon a male dancing pair arrive, followed immediately by a female pair.

San Miguel Dueñas Covite  © Spaswinefood

The dancing continues, with more dancing pairs arriving.

San Miguel Dueñas Covite © Spaswinefood

Purple and Pink, San Miguel Dueñas Covite © Spaswinefood

It is immediately obvious to me that the dancing pairs bring life to the street performance.

Two More Pairs, San Miguel Dueñas Covite © Spaswinefood

At one point I am drawn into following a pair, dressed in blue, gold, silver and brown colors through their dancing routine. The dancers costumes and masks are quite elaborate.

Coveters Dance, Photo #1 © Spaswinefood

Conviteros Dance, Photo # 2 © Spaswinefood

Conviteros Dance, Photo #3 © Spaswinefood

Then as the dance continues I spot a number of male dancing pairs.

San Miguel Dueñas Covite, Dancing Pair 1  © Spaswinefood

San Miguel Dueñas Covite, Dancing Pair 2 © Spaswinefood

The costumes and masks worn by the male dancers are also quite detailed, and often the male dancers costumes include leather boots.

Finally it is time for the dancers to take a break. I am sure it was a very welcomed break.

Food is a Part of Convite Celebrations


All Guatemalan celebrations include food as a big part of the celebrations. There are many special foods that are associated with this time of the year.  Prior to the arrived of the conviteros on Calle Real guests at Leonardo Ricardo's Studio were treated to lunch. Let's checkout some of the delicious food offerings at this year’s Convite.

Fruits and Vegetables © Spaswinefood

Fresh Fruit Salad with Figs © Spaswinefood

Hot Vegetable Platter with Rice © Spaswinefood

Mac & Cheese © Spaswinefood

Plantains and Beef © Spaswinefood

Shortly after lunch the conviteros arrived outside the studio and we headed into the Calle Real to watch.

After the conviteros danced they are invited inside to eat. 

Exiting Calle Real for Lunch Break © Spaswinefood

Time with the Conviteros
Of course while the dancers rest and enjoy their lunch it was a great time for photos. I enjoyed mingling with the dancers during their break. Did I say an art studio is a great place to take photos?

Red & Gold Unmasked, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

Life & Art, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

Masks, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

Mask, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

It is at moments like this that art and culture come together.

A San Miguel Dueñas Convite Moment © Spaswinefood

It was a time to refuel that energy while relaxing. 

Time to Relax, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

It was also a time to converse a little with old and new friends.

Break Time, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

Primos, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

Spending time with the conviteros on break was priceless.

Conviteros on Break, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

Dancer on Break, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

This year the masks provided stunning photo oops. Some masks were carefully placed on the floor during the break.

Masks, San Miguel Dueñas Convite © Spaswinefood

Other masks were placed on chairs.

Mask & Food, San Miguel Dueñas Convite © Spaswinefood

Mask with Read Earrings, San Miguel Dueñas Convite © Spaswinefood

Resting Mask, San Miguel Dueñas Convite © Spaswinefood

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Mask with Crown, San Miguel Dueñas Convite © Spaswinefood

Three Resting Masks, San Miguel Dueñas Convite © Spaswinefood

Two Resting Masks, San Miguel Dueñas Convite © Spaswinefood

Yes, there were masks on tables.

Mask on Table, San Miguel Dueñas Convite © Spaswinefood

All in all, it was fun for the guests to mingle with the conviteros during break time.

The Convite Continued 
Later the conviteros put on their masks and head back into Calle Real for their next dance. Meanwhile the various dance groups, floats and costumed characters filled calles of San Miguel Dueñas.

Dance Group in Orange, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

 Dance Group in Hot Pink, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

Costumed Characters, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

Green Men, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

Needless to say, mingling in the calles with the dancers and other customed performers was so much fun. San Miguel Dueñas certainly knows how to put on quite a show.

Disney Style, San Miguel Dueñas © Spaswinefood

Convite celebrations take place in various pueblos throughout Guatemala during the month of December. La Prensa Libre describes the origin and tradition of this street dance. You might also want to check out some of the over 370 fiestas held in Guatemala throughout the year. December month in particular is a time for many celebrations.

San Miguel Dueñas Covite 2015 © Spaswinefood


San Miguel Dueñas is located in the Central Guatemalan Highlands, which is also known as "the land of eternal spring". In general the best time to visit is during the dry season (November through May). In Antigua you will find hotels and restaurants to fit all budgets. There are also many spas to visit. Antigua is a popular destination to study Spanish. Recently Mayan language schools have also become available. I would like to give special thanks to Leonardo Ricardo and all his wonderful assistants for hosting the conviteros. I invite you to join me in my travels in Guatemala and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

Antigua, Guatemala

December 2016

© Spaswinefood

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