A festival declared of National Touristic Interest that puts forward the Cultural, Ethnographic and Traditional values. A festivity in which folklore coexists with gastronomy and the commemoration of the tradition of the “ronda pedroteña” to women and to the beginning of the spring.
ORIGINS
This important celebration dates back from the nights of “ronda”, when lads and ladies of our locality, which was the way of wooing them. As years passed by, the “Mayo Machego” gained momentum until it was declared festival of Regional Touristic Interest in 1992, given its status as keeper of old traditions
Pedro Muñoz is titled “Villa y Corte del Mayo Manchego”. Even though this festivity is celebrated all around Castile-La Mancha, it is in Pedro Muñoz where it has the most relevance and recognition.
LAMPS AND NIGHTS OF "RONDA"
Lamps are one of the symbolic elements of the Festivity of Mayo Manchego, with which dwellers are reminded of the lamps lads carried to light up the nights of “ronda”.
Nowadays, associations and groups of friends participate in a contest of lamps they elaborate themselves. There is a prize for the lamp that is best ornamented.
After the celebration of contest, in the night of the 30th April, the well-known night of “ronda” starts. During this night, people traverse the town, going from one Mayera’s house to another (“Mayera” is the term used to designate the appointed ladies of the festivities). They sing the “mayo” (a folkloric song) while they drank the customary drink of our town: the “zurra”.
GASTRONOMIC WORKSHOPS
Celebrated during the last days of April, they coincide with the celebration of the Mayo festivity. In these workshops, a gastronomic display is built. There, we can taste the most characteristic products of Pedro Muñoz.
Besides, a number of contests revolving around traditional cuisine (i.e. “Gachas” or “Pisto manchego”).
Contestants range from wineries and cooperatives to associations and innkeepers. Their goal is to promote wine and local gastronomy.
THE "MAYERAS" AND THEIR ATTIRES
Being a “mayera” and representing your hometown is one of the greatest honours for the young ladies of Pedro Muñoz, given how they represent the valours and Manchegan beauty.
Days before the festivity of the Mayo Manchego, the “mayeras” are passed the baton from their previous year’s antecessors in the well-known “Imposición de Bandas”, which is hosted in the town’s bullring.
They will be the protagonists of each and every local festivity for one year. They are the guests of honour and performing the role of representing the youth, especially in religious festivities and town’s festivals, since the celebration of the “Festival Nacional del Folclore”.
The traditional attire consists of a one colour, vertically-stripped skirt in wool or thread. The blouse is a black, long-sleeved bodice, close-fitted to the waist and ornamented with black and white laces.
Over the shoulders, a shawl of Manchegan wool is worn. All this is worn alongside fishnet stockings, knickerbockers and petticoats ornamented with motifs designed with bobbins.
NATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL. MAY 1st
This festival brings closure to the ceremonies revolving around the Mayo Manchego festival, providing examples of the local and national ethnographic choirs and dances that participate each year. This event is organized and coordinated by the Folkloric Association “Ntra. Sra. Virgen de Los Angeles” as well as by the local council.
This takes place in the local’s bullring and it is a moment of exalted feelings for all the inhabitants of Pedro Muñoz, ending the ceremony with Pedro Muñoz’s anthem, interpreted by the Local Symphonic Band.
50TH ANNIVERSARY
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