The Festival of Many Colors, organized by the Mummers Museum as part of the 250th Anniversary of National Independence, supports participants and musicians from the Mexican community in New Jersey who celebrate the Huejotzingo Carnival, originally from the Mexican state of Puebla.
Poblano immigrants have brought this iconic celebration to several states across the United States. The event stands out not only for its vibrant colors and music, but also for its reenactment of historical events, making it a uniquely rich cultural experience.
Michael Carwile, the festival’s organizer, introduced a music workshop led by Banda La Poblanita from Passaic, New Jersey, for community members on April 12 at the museum, located in South Philadelphia. The Mummers have paraded every January 1 in Philadelphia since 1901, organized in brigades that include performers dressed as comics in elaborate costumes, men portraying female characters, and string instrument bands.
Band music is characterized by its distinctive instrumentation, which includes trumpets, trombones, clarinets, and saxophones, as well as drums and cymbals. This combination creates a festive sound typical of carnival music. The style is known for its lively rhythms and melodies that evolve over time.
Fermín Atenco, director of Banda La Poblanita, explained that their goal is for younger generations to learn and preserve this musical genre. Along with several of the group’s 14 members, he taught percussion and trombone rhythms to participants.
Abel Texcucano Chávez, co-founder of the Huejotzingo Carnival in Passaic, attended wearing his Indio Zacapoaxtla costume and demonstrated the dance steps performed during the celebration. Like many carnival participants, he emphasized that “dance is lived and felt; it is not bound by choreography.” This cultural promoter, originally from Huejotzingo, also took part in the dance workshops sponsored by the museum.
The Festival of Many Colors will conclude on May 17 with a free community event featuring traditional Mummers music, a steel drum band from the Caribbean Festival, Banda La Poblanita, carnival participants from Passaic, and children from the Mexican folkloric dance group Tonantzin. The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the museum’s parking lot at 1100 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147.