Now that Ajijic’s Carnaval celebrations have ended, expat residents unfamiliar with the village’s rhythms may have been surprised by a festive parade winding through town on Saturday, March 8.
What they witnessed was actually a high-spirited funeral procession honoring Horacio Rojas, better known by his nickname, Lacho. Often referred to by locals as El Sayaco de los Sayacos, Lacho was a long-time leader and driving force behind Ajijic’s traditional masked dancers.
Lacho passed away unexpectedly on March 5, the day after this year’s Carnaval parade. He was honored with a funeral Mass at San Andrés Church on Saturday afternoon, followed by a procession to the Ajijic cemetery for burial.
Family, friends, and nearly all of the town’s Sayacos and Sayacas marched and lined the streets as the hearse carrying his coffin made its way from the church through the Sebastián barrio, where he lived. A band played traditional dance tunes as the procession made its way to the cemetery. The Sayaco group danced exuberantly ahead of the hearse while bystanders showered the vehicle with confetti. The festive farewell continued as Lacho’s coffin was carried into the cemetery and laid to rest.
In his final Carnaval parade appearance, Lacho had ridden aboard the San Sebastián float dressed as a cowboy, portraying the drummer in a playful Sayaco band pretending to play oversized papier-mâché instruments. His classic carved wood mask was displayed at his wake, to be cherished as an eternal memorial symbol by his loved ones.