The Guelaguetza is one of the most important traditions of Oaxaca

The word Guelaguetza comes from the Zapotec language and is usually interpreted as the "reciprocal exchanges of gifts and services".

This great cultural event involves re-enactments of legends and celebrates traditional music, dance, costume, craft and gastronomy from the seven regions in the state of Oaxaca: Valles Centrales (Central Valleys), Sierra Sur, Sierra Norte, Cañada, Mixteca (Mixtec), La Costa (The Cost), El Istmo (The Isthmus) and El Golfo (The Gulf).

During the festival, different ethnic groups wearing their traditional clothing perform folk dances that are particular to their region. At the end of the dancing they throw items to the crowd, products that come from the region they represent.

There is an opening “desfile” or parade. Later as part of the celebration, the Bani Stui Gulal performance is presented in the Guelaguetza Auditorium. This show depicts how the celebration of the Guelaguetza or “Lunes del Cerro” has changed over time. There is also the presentation of the Legend of Donaji on each of the Monday nights in the Guelaguetza Auditorium. The Legend of Donaji is the story of the last Zapotec princess, full of light, sound, fireworks and drama.

The dances, concerts, art exhibits, culinary events, painting and theater create the cultural mosaic of this festival. It has earned a great reputation for its high artistic content and for presenting the races of the town of Oaxaca in an excellent manner.

Each year the Guelaguetza is celebrated on the two Mondays immediately following July 16, except when the first Monday falls  on July 18, the day on which Benito Juárez the great Zapotec leader and first indigenous president of Mexico died. Out of respect for Oaxaca's most revered native son, the celebrations are postponed for one week, falling on July 25 and August 1.

more information   http://www.arduinna.com.mx/pdf/oax_en.pdf