Xocoyolo: Negritos and Caves

The Dance of the Negritos brings culture and festivities into focus. Cueva de Xocoyolo and Cueva Murciélago de Xocoyolo are part of the Cuetzalan System and offer a geological focus. The montane cloud forest in the southern part of the municipality, which belongs to the Xocoyolo Auxiliary Board, adds to the picture. Together, cultural tradition, cave formations, and landscape offer different interests to consider when planning your trip.

The Dance of the Negritos and the Festivities

One cultural tradition in Xocoyolo is the Dance of the Negritos, performed by children and adults. Its characters include El Caporal, La Maringuía, her child, and the Huehue or Viejo. The tradition thus brings together named roles and the participation of children and adults.

A festival honoring the patron saint is held in Xocoyolo in May. A 1976 record links the Negritos performance to the Fiesta de la Cruz on October 4, the feast honoring Saint Francis of Assisi on May 2, and May 5. The dates differ: the patron saint’s festival is associated with the month of May, while specific days are recorded for the Negritos performance. If you would like to plan your trip around a performance, check the current dates in advance.

Montane Cloud Forest and Land-Use Planning

The area in the south of the municipality that belongs to the Xocoyolo Auxiliary Board is characterized by well-preserved montane cloud forest. Xocoyolo also has 1,801.7 hectares designated under the land-use planning category “Conservación” (“Conservation”). The forest description identifies the landscape type in the southern area; the “Conservación” category adds a planning perspective on the land. Xocoyolo therefore combines a distinct natural area with a land-use planning designation.

The Caves of the Cuetzalan System

Cueva de Xocoyolo has 3,098 feet of passage length in horizontal projection and is 123 feet deep. These measurements describe different dimensions: horizontal projection refers to the extent of the passage, while depth refers to the vertical dimension. The entrance consists of horizontally bedded limestone, is 80 feet wide and 38 feet high, and lies 70 feet below the road.

Cueva Murciélago de Xocoyolo lies in a depression, 110 feet from the entrance to Cueva de Xocoyolo. Its two entrances are each about 5 feet high and 10 feet wide; a small stream flows out of the lower entrance. The caves therefore differ in the features described: for Cueva de Xocoyolo, the passage length, depth, and wide entrance stand out; for Cueva Murciélago, its position in a depression, two smaller entrances, and the stream. If you are planning a cave visit, check access in advance.

Discover more destinations: Tepeyahualco, Atlixco, Acatzingo De Hidalgo, San Pedro Cholula, Santa Rita Tlahuapan, Pahuatlán, Ciudad De Cuetzalan, Tilapa.

For the broader travel overview: Puebla.