Diosa Centeotl is a Senderos cultural contest held each spring to select the Diosa Centeotl (corn goddess) who will reign over the Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza festival activities. The competition includes presentations by participants, performance by Senderos’ dance troupe, and delicious food for sale. This traditional contest is open to women ages 16 to 32 years old who are Oaxaquenas or who have Oaxacan heritage. Dressed in a traditional outfit, each contestant makes a presentation about the traditions and customs of the town/region they are representing, reflecting on why it is important to maintain the Oaxaqueña identity. The selected Diosa receives a $500 scholarship.
2023 Diosa Centeotl
Past Diosa Centeotl
The 2019 Diosa Centeotl, Lizbeth Arely Olazo Hernandez, was born on June 4, 2001 in Stanford, California. At the age of two her parents took her to Oaxaca, Mexico, where she lived for three years with her maternal grandparents.
When she was five years old Arely return to California, and at the age of ten she emigrated again to Oaxaca. On this occasion Arely was able to appreciate the Oaxacan culture and find her indigenous identity. In order to continue her education, at the age of fifteen she returned again to California.
Arely’s parents are from Santo Domingo Teojomulco, Sola de Vega, Oaxaca.
Izamar Sanchez
