La Sandunga facts for kids

"La Sandunga" (also spelled "La Zandunga") is a very old and traditional Mexican song. It's a type of dance music called a waltz. This song is like an unofficial anthem for a special area in Mexico called the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in the state of Oaxaca.

The song's style was inspired by Spanish jota music. It also has parts that come from Native American and Mestizo cultures. The word "Sandunga" isn't used much in Spanish today. It can mean things like grace, elegance, charm, or even celebration.

Many people believe the tune of "La Sandunga" came from a region in Spain called Andalusia. A Zapotec musician named Andres Gutierrez (also known as Ndre Sa’a in the Zapotec language) rearranged the music.

The words for the song were written in 1853 by Máximo Ramó Ortiz. He wrote them after his mother passed away. Ortiz was also a leader in Tehuantepec. He wrote the song partly to help the Isthmus become more independent from the Mexican government. The song tells the story of a Zapotec woman who is sad because her mother died, and she cries out "Sandunga."

Celebrating "La Sandunga"

The city of Tehuantepec has different neighborhoods, and each has its own church. Every year, special celebrations called velas are held. These events honor the patron saints of these churches.

The Vela Sandunga Festival

The most important of these velas is the Vela Sandunga. It takes place during the last week of May. This festival is celebrated all week long throughout the entire city. It is held to remember and honor the creation of the song "La Sandunga."

A big festival is held with many fun activities. There are performances by musicians from the Conservatoire de Paris. A festival queen is chosen, and there's a parade. This parade shows how the traditional dress of Tehuantepec has changed over time. The Vela Sandunga ends with a procession honoring Saint Dominic. He is the patron saint of the Isthmus.

Famous Versions of "La Sandunga"

"La Sandunga" has been sung by many famous artists. Some of them include Chavela Vargas, Jaramar, Lila Downs, Susana Harp, Los de Abajo, Guadalupe Pineda, and Raphael.

As early as 1946, the song was recorded in the United States. The Viva America Orchestra recorded it. Alfredo Antonini conducted the orchestra, with singers Elsa Miranda and John Serry Sr..

"La Sandunga" in Movies

The song "La Sandunga" has appeared in several movies.

Mexican Films

A Mexican film from 1938 was titled "La Zandunga". This movie featured the song in its soundtrack. Another film from 1954, called "Sandunga Para Tres," also used the song. It even included real documentary footage from the 1953 celebrations in Tehuantepec. These celebrations marked 100 years since the song was first written.

The song is also used in a part called "Sandunga" in Sergei Eisenstein's film project. This project was never finished and was called "¡Qué viva México!"

International Films and Shows

In the 1944 Disney film "The Three Caballeros", the song is sung and danced to by Carmen Molina.

A version of this song is played in the 2004 film “The Alamo (2004 film)”. You can hear it during Jim Bowie’s wedding scene.

The song is heard several times in the Netflix show "Chef's Table". It appears in Season 2, Episode 4, which features chef Enrique Olvera and his Mexico City restaurant Pujol.

Finally, the song is heard in the Pixar animated movie "Coco".