"Hundreds of families took part on Sunday in the traditional Pendon Festival in Chilpancingo, in the Mexican state of Guerrero, a folkloric celebration marking the start of the Christmas and New Year season, as well as the San Mateo Fair. Footage shows a long parade of dancers, horse riders, marching bands and colourful characters wearing tiger and jaguar masks, performing traditional dances through the city streets. The Pendon is a historic cultural procession in which a large ceremonial banner is carried across Chilpancingo, accompanied by music and dance groups representing neighbourhoods from across the city. This year’s event marked the festival’s 200th anniversary and it is traditionally held on the Sunday before Christmas, drawing thousands of participants and spectators. One of the most distinctive elements of the festival is the 'Tiger Slam', a ritualised event in which participants, mainly men, dress as tigers, symbolising strength and resilience in local tradition. “I dedicated this fight to my grandfather, and that is what I focused on. Personally, I focused on fighting with my heart in my hand, with feeling,” said one participant from the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. Organisers said this year’s anniversary edition was smaller than usual due to ongoing security concerns affecting the municipality since last year. As a result, the parade route was shortened, and security was visibly reinforced, with police helicopters, military patrols and officers deployed throughout the celebration."