Have you ever heard of the “Noche de Rábanos“, or “The Night of the Radishes”? This is a Mexican tradition typical of Oaxaca, which occurs on December 23rd each year. A competition born almost by chance thanks to the artistic skills of local farmers, skilled radish carvers.
(Read also: Do you know the most curious and bizarre Christmas traditions in the world?)
History and origins of the Noche de Ràbanos
In colonial times, the farmers of Oaxaca used to participate in the annual Christmas market which took place in the Mexican city, at the Plaza de Armas of Vieja Antequera, to sell vegetables and other goods. At the time, we are talking about the mid-18th century, radish crops were particularly abundant, to the point that many were wasted.
So it was that two Spanish friars decided to collect some of them with irregular shapes to take to the Christmas market as a curiosity. The radishes immediately attracted attention and some farmers, to attract more customers, began to carve them, creating original natural sculptures.
As time passed, more and more people began to buy carved radishes to embellish their tables, until on December 23, 1897, according to the book “Noche de Rábanos” by Prof. Alejandro Méndez Aquino, a competition was organized to reward the most beautiful ones.
The idea came from the governor of Oaxaca, Don Francisco Vasconcelos Flores, and was so successful that the competition is still organized today, attracting visitors from all over the world.
The carved radishes often depicted religious themes linked to the Nativity, but over the years the themes have become increasingly diversified.
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Radish Night: preparations
Preparations for Radish Night begin well before December 23rd. The first step, as the Oaxaca-Mio website explains, is the sowing of radishes of different qualities, some of which are characterized by a very thick skin, ideal for carving.
Sowing takes place at least 3 months before the anniversary in a specially dedicated area, located near the Parque Tequioon the outskirts of the city. Some of the radishes grown in this area can reach 50 centimeters in length, 10 centimeters in width and can weigh more than 3 kilos.
The local authorities distribute the radishes free of charge to the participants of the competition.
Radish Night: the competition
In the hours preceding the Night of the Radishes, the participants begin to create and model the main figures, while the public begins to reach the stands to browse here and there.
The competition includes different categories including the traditional category and the free category: the first includes scenes linked to the traditions of Oaxaca or biblical scenes, while the second is more experimental. But there are also prizes for children and various subcategories.
The event has a very limited duration because radishes tend to rot quickly after being carved. We start walking around the stands in the late afternoon of December 23rd until around 9pm, after which the judges select the most beautiful works and we move on to the awards ceremony.
