The Enthralling Celebration of Dia de la Samaritana: Embracing Oaxacan Tradition and Spanish Practice

Spanish Students celebrating La Samaritana at Instituto Cultural Oaxaca while enjoying traditional aguas frescas like horchata.

At Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, Samaritana has also become a special moment for our Spanish students. Each year, we set up a small, decorated stand at the school where students can taste traditional aguas frescas such as horchata and jamaica. For many students, it is their first experience with this Oaxacan tradition. While enjoying the drinks, students also practice simple Spanish phrases they might hear or use in the streets, such as “¿Me regalas un vasito de agua?” or “¿Qué agua me recomiendas?”.

The History of La Samaritana in Oaxaca

Dia de la Samaritana in Oaxaca is not just a festival; it's a profound expression of Oaxacan culture and generosity.

La Samaritana en Oaxaca by Frank Coronado

On the fourth Friday of Lent, this year on Friday, 13, the Oaxaca Cultural Institute will participate, as it does every year, in celebrating one of the most significant and symbolic traditions of the Oaxacan people in the liturgical context of Lent: Samaritan Friday.

Within the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of spiritual preparation before the celebration of Easter. It begins with the Ash Wednesday ceremony, which took place on February 18 this year. Four Fridays after that date, one of the best-known biblical episodes of the New Testament, the parable of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, is commemorated. This episode, narrated by John in his gospel, speaks of tolerance and reconciliation between people with different beliefs through the spirit of God.

As part of this commemoration, fresh-water stands decorated with flowers and chopped Chinese paper are set up outside public buildings, businesses, and schools in Oaxaca, representing the well in the biblical parable. The water is given to passersby, who stop for a moment to refresh themselves. The scene was even acted out in some of these stands, with people dressed as Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

No matter who you are or where you come from, the water offered to you is given as friendship and love for your neighbor, just as the Samaritan woman gave it to Jesus, regardless of the differences between the Samaritans and the Jews."

If you are in Oaxaca that day, go to any stall you see and choose from various flavors of aguas frescas and, in some places, even nieves; all this is free.

5 Spanish phrases you can use in the Dia de La Samaritana to practice Spanish.

1. ¿Agua de qué sabor tienes?

2. ¿Me das a probar un poquito de agua de horchata?

3. ¡Me gustó más el agua de jamaica!

4. ¿Qué es la chilacayota?

5. ¡Qué rica está el agua!

For Spanish students, Samaritana is also a wonderful opportunity to practice the language in a natural setting. When approaching a stand, visitors often ask simple questions such as: ¿Me regalas un vasito de agua?¿De qué sabores hay agua?¿Qué agua me recomiendas?

These small interactions often become memorable cultural experiences, where language learning and Oaxacan hospitality meet.

Traditional Flavors of the aguas frescas at the Samaritana.

During Samaritana in Oaxaca, visitors will see tables filled with colorful clay cups and large glass containers of traditional drinks. Some of the most common flavors, made with seasonal ingredients, include horchata, jamaica, limón, tamarindo, maracuyá, chilacayota, and tejate, a prehispanic Oaxacan drink made with corn, cocoa, mamey pits, and cocoa flowers, as well as regional variations such as horchata con tuna. Each drink reflects the creativity and generosity of those who prepare it, and visitors are often invited to try more than one flavor.

Where to Experience Samaritana in Oaxaca

One of the most enjoyable parts of Samaritana is walking through the streets and discovering the decorated stands that appear throughout the city.

Some of the best areas to experience the tradition include Jalatlaco and the Andador Turístico, where local businesses, galleries, restaurants, and schools often participate by offering free drinks to passersby. Most stands begin appearing around noon and continue through the afternoon until about 3:00 PM.

Students staying near Instituto Cultural Oaxaca can easily walk to several locations where Samaritana is celebrated. The neighborhoods of Centro and Jalatlaco are about a ten-minute walk from the Institute, and El Llano Park, only a couple of minutes away, is another place where people often gather during the celebration.

Eco-friendly tips for La Samaritana Day.

To be more environmentally friendly, it is better to carry a glass with you to reduce the use of disposable cups. This practice is becoming increasingly common, and there are even places where you cannot get water unless you bring your own glass. More about our Spanish Language Programs.