Los Graniceros

Graniceros are Mexican shamans charged with controlling the weather by performing ancient rituals and ceremonies. They are also curanderos—traditional healers. Their name comes from granizo the Spanish word for hail; they are believed to have the power to stop hail, which would destroy crops. The rituals and ceremonies occur at different times during the agricultural cycle. The petition for rain is performed in May to ask Tlaloc, the Mexica god of rain, for abundant rain. The Canicula is done in August, during the so-called Dog Days, to ask the gods for less heat and rain. The Agradecimiento is a November ritual to give thanks to Tlaloc and other gods for the rains and for the good harvest. At each event, graniceros and participants bring offerings that the gods have asked for. The gods send their requests to the graniceros through dreams

Photos from a February event to mark the beginning of the agricultural cycle and September, when the first corn is harvested, will be posted when available.