"The Joy of the Resurrection and blessings of rebirth of spring be upon you. Today I was there (at Guadalupe) with the Yoemem and witnessed the procession of the wrapped cross and its group of devoted bearers and singers, and as they slowly went, the Fariseos and Chapeyekas marched in their formations and advanced upon the church, and alternately retreated, having been repelled by the Pascolas and Venado dancer and their mimes of slinging flowers and arrows at the enemy. The Big bad Chapeyekas even shot like 357 magnums at the Pascolas. That made me jump. Then when they seemed to break through the defense, the church bells rang out, and out poured from the church the white shirted and neck-scarf wearing faithful, bearing desert willow lashes to beat back the charge. They finally got the cross and Santo inside the church through the Chapeyekas and then there was a final battle. 



(Images are from Sonora. Guadalupe does not allow photos or sketch.)
Then the Fariseos and Chapeyekas were un-hatted, defrocked, and the Chapeyekas removed their masks while surrounded by Fariseos, and at the center plaza cross they threw the masks and weapons (big carved, painted swords) upon a bonfire of bags of chips and leaves. There was a big blanket pile of hats, but they weren't burnt, I saw men coming and taking hats from it though.  About this time the crowd advanced into the plaza again, and toward the front of the church. A small ring was formed, and the pascolas and the Deer danced in a lively manner, perhaps celebrating their victory.  on the other side of the plaza there had been a group dancing with cone shaped (fez) hats with long bright color tassels, they were about 40 in number, they wore bright or white shirts, bandoleers of beads and carried big gourd rattles, and did their complex step to the drum, flute and violins whining.”

He was kind to mention: “What you sent me was timely and filled in some of the background of this ceremonial.  I first went to Guadalupe to see what I might on Thursday, after my own church singing practice. Then I returned on Friday in time to see the advances and processions of the Fariseos and Chapeyekas, controlling the plaza, and the bearing of the wrapped Santo Lazaro and  laVirgen in a mass group of faithful the length of plaza and into the church.  I met some nice people each day, drank some "aguas" and had a killer green chile and beef popover one day, and bean and cheese with red chile the next." Naturally, thanks to my Arizona friend and relatives report. Your comments are always welcome.