Town 27 km west of Paracho
A Purépecha village on Paricutín's slopes that hosts the great Purépecha artistic contest of music and dance every October.
Zacán is a Purépecha village in the municipality of Los Reyes, on the slopes of the Paricutín volcano, and it was one of the communities affected when the volcano erupted in the 1940s. For most of the year it is a quiet farming village, but every October it becomes the cultural capital of the Purépecha world.
Since 1971 Zacán has hosted the Concurso Artístico de la Raza P'urhépecha, usually held on October 17 and 18. The contest, started by an association of professionals from the village, brings together pirekua singers, traditional orchestras, brass bands and dance groups from the four Purépecha regions: the Meseta, the Lake Pátzcuaro area, the Cañada de los Once Pueblos and the Ciénega. Hundreds of performers and thousands of visitors fill the village, and there are also contests of traditional dress and embroidery.
The pirekua, the Purépecha song tradition recognized by UNESCO as intangible heritage, is at the heart of the event. If you are in the region in mid-October, it is one of the best chances anywhere to hear and see Purépecha music, dance and textiles in one place.
What to see and do
Attend the Concurso Artístico de la Raza P'urhépecha, usually October 17 and 18.
Listen to pirekuas, the traditional Purépecha songs.
Watch dance groups, orchestras and brass bands from all four Purépecha regions.
See the traditional dress and embroidery contests.
Getting there
Zacán is roughly 45 minutes to an hour from Paracho by car, heading south toward Capácuaro and then west past Angahuan toward Los Reyes. During the contest, traffic and parking are heavy, so arrive early.
27 km west of Paracho
Directions from Paracho on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Zacán
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Weather cool
Zacán shares the climate of Paracho, 27 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Apr, Nov.
Make Paracho your base
Zacán is an easy trip from Paracho, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Paracho
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Templo de San Juan Parangaricutiro
· Landmark · 24 km away
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· Town · 25 km away
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Zona Arqueológica de Tingambato
· Archaeological site · 26 km away
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· Mountain · 27 km away
The volcano that rose from a cornfield in 1943: ride or hike across the lava from Angahuan to its still-steaming crater. -
La Tzaráracua
· Waterfall · 33 km away
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Lago de Camécuaro
· Lake · 33 km away
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.