Every summer the Smithsonian Institution puts on the Folklife Festival to highlight a specific region of the world. The only bad thing is that it takes place in the summer which means two things 1) Its hot and 2) school is out! But still go as a teacher and learn new things as well check out the marketplace where you can buy some cool cultural swag for your classroom (like a picture poster of Welsh opposite words! Always needed item to all classes!)But to be more specific you have to check out the Mexican tents at this year's festival.
There are traditional cooking demonstrations, craft displays like this one of making guitars and also tents which highlight the shamanistic activities of several indigenous cultures of Mexico.For me the two highlights of the Mexican section are the chinampa which is a display of the traditional floating gardens of Pre-Columbian Aztec culture as well as the Palo Volantin in which four dancers scale a pole and tie a rope to their ankles and hang down while the ropes lengthen as the top spins. It is a spectacular sight to see men in flight as part of this traditional ceremony. So come on down to the National Mall and take a ton of photos to take back to your classes this year. The festival closes on July 5th!
Contact Info:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
National Mall between 14th and 10th streets
www.festival.si.edu
June 24-28 and July 1-5
11-5:30pm
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