One performance stood out. The boy played his role with great gusto. "What was his role?" I asked innocently. Luzbel, Lucifer, the Devil. "What?" I asked intrigued, "There was a devil in the Christmas play? I've never heard of such a thing!"
At the time, I was intrigued, but not yet spurred to action. The next year, I went with Reed. I couldn't believe my eyes. This was like no Christmas Play I had ever seen. Even to this güera (fair-haired USer) struggling at times with colloquial Spanish, it was a delightful work punctuated with moments of outright hilarity! Needless to say, I was hooked!
Origins of the Pastorela
Pastorelas originated in Italy about 1223 when Saint Francis of Assisi had the idea of representing the Birth of Jesus in a Nativity scene. The religious purpose was to propagate the Christian faith by instructing illiterate peasants in the Christmas story. From Italy, the custom of Nativity scenes spread around the world. In Mexico the tradition developed with a uniquely Mexican flavor.
In 1530, a mere twenty years after the arrival of the Spanish, Brother Juan de Zumárrago, first bishop of Nueva España (Mexico), decreed that A Farce of the Delightful Birth of our Savior ("Farsa de la Natividad Gozosa de Nuestro Salvador”) be written. Brother Zumárrago's decree drew on the European tradition of medieval morality plays—short, one-act plays whose purpose was to instruct the masses.
The first pastorelas were written by missionaries in the order founded in St. Francis's name, Franciscans, who were the first to arrive in Nueva España. A while later, the Franciscans were joined by missionaries from other monastic orders, who also wrote pastorelas.
The first pastorela staged on Mexican soil was presented in 1533 at Santiago of Tlatelolco and was titled, El fin del Mundo (The End of the World). The indigenous people were receptive to liturgical drama, because their own tradition included both expressive rites for honoring their gods and a repertoire of true theater works.
The indigenous were also encouraged because the bishop's decree specified that 'dances, songs and flowers' be performed—elements considered by the indigenous to be essential parts of any fiesta. The open-air chapels of the churches served as backdrop for the first staging of this allegorical play celebrating the Eucharist and, later, pastorelas navideños.
In Mexico the form and content of the pastorela evolved slowly, the result not only of indigenous influences but of dynamics emanating from an emerging Mexican identity. Secular authors began to write works with popular content, thus uncoupling the text from religious tradition. These works mocked not only the political and religious authorities, but aristocratic Mexican society as well. It is fair to say that the pastorela has been adopted as a welcome Christmas tradition by all classes of Mexican society.
With the passage of time, the pastorela assumed its present form—dialogues, songs, dances, and staged battles. Its simple language is passed through an oral tradition that culminates in performances in the streets, plazas and Atrios (forecourts) of churches.
Other pastorelas are scripted and formally staged in theaters, auditoriums or cultural centers, often with professional actors. In the 19th century, José Joaquin Fernández de Lizardi wrote "The Most Fortunate Night" (La noche más venturosa), credited with being the first theatrical pastorela.
Pastorela: Plot and Characters
The basic plot consists of a group of pilgrims traveling to Bethlehem to take gifts to the newborn Holy Child. But a group of devils attempt to disrupt their journey by putting all manner of temptations in front of the pilgrims.
In the end, good triumphs. Luzbel (Lucifer) is defeated by Saint Michael, and the pilgrims deliver their gifts to the Holy Child, whom they lull to sleep by singing. All the pilgrims kiss the Infant and make their exit singing.
Characters in the pastorelas include shepherds, devils, angels and archangels and a hermit. Various regions of Mexico add regionally significant characters, such as Indians, ranchers, or a monk. The Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Holy Child are usually presented as figures in a silent tableau of the Nativity Scene.
The shepherds are headed by one or two daffy women, whose husbands are usually named Bato and Bartolo—both comic characters. Foolish and weak, both husbands have a sweet tooth that will torment them on their pilgrimage.
Bartolo has another function. Owing to his ignorance, he is constantly asking 'What's going on?' His questions frame answers that relate the sacred history: the circumstances of Mary's and Joseph's pilgrimage, the Birth of Jesus, and the Adoration of the Three Kings. The Hermit's prayers support the Pilgrims' highest desires.
A group of devils is headed by Lucifer, his assistant Asmodea and a group of demons. In many regional variations, devils represent and act out the Seven Deadly Sins, to hilarious comic effect!
The Archangel Saint Michael fights fierce battles with the demons, whom he ultimately conquers. Although the Archangel San Gabriel announces the birth of the Redeemer, he isn't always part of the cast of a pastorela.
Pastorela Navideño: Performance at Casa Hogar, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán
The following year Reed took these pictures at the Pastorela Navideño, which I also attended. The performance was put on by drama students at the four-year Instituto de Tecnología, whose campus is just outside Pátzcuaro. Their participation was arranged by the Casa Hogar's administrative assistant, who is also an administrator at the Instituto.
The performance began with the entrance of the sheep.
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| Sheep played by boys from the Casa Hogar |
The band of pilgrims enter next. In this version, it is a family that makes the pilgrimage. This variation reflects the region's primary value—family.
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| The Pilgrim Family |
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| Forceful Leader of the Pilgrims |
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| In Mexico, los grandes (the elderly) are greatly respected for their age and wisdom. La abuelita (Little Grandmother) is a fixture in Mexican families and in many theater works. |
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| Weak, hapless husband |
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| Daughter/wife walking with the abuelita |
The temptations are acted broadly as in a farce. The audience was obviously looking forward to the Devil's shenanigans. They were not disappointed!
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| El Diablo (Devil) played the role to the hilt... |
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| As is plain to see! |
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| The Archangel Saint Michael arrives to do battle with Lucifer. |
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| Saint Michael confronts Lucifer, whose performance was so outrageous that even Saint Michael couldn't refrain from smiling! Nonetheless, Saint Michael succeeded in defeating the Devil. |
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| Joseph and Mary arrive in Bethlehem, carrying the Holy Infant, as do the Pilgrims. All ends well. |
¡Feliz Navidad de México!
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