This is a church located in Tonantzintla, Puebla. It used to be a teocali that honored Tonantzin. When the priests came and started converting the Mexikas into 
Catholics they did it by force but they also wanted to make the transition easier. So they saw the indigenous come to this teocali and pay reverence to the mother Tonanztin. The priests saw how the would get on their knees and bring gifts, which is what they wanted in their own religion but had not achieved it. So they constructed the church over the temple and replaced Tonanztin with the Virgin Mary. Over time it worked. This is one of the last remaining indigenous churches in Mexico. Inside it still has the original steps from the teocali. There are so many indigenous details inside along with Mexika deities like Tlaloc, Quetzalcoatl and Coatlicue.
Catholics they did it by force but they also wanted to make the transition easier. So they saw the indigenous come to this teocali and pay reverence to the mother Tonanztin. The priests saw how the would get on their knees and bring gifts, which is what they wanted in their own religion but had not achieved it. So they constructed the church over the temple and replaced Tonanztin with the Virgin Mary. Over time it worked. This is one of the last remaining indigenous churches in Mexico. Inside it still has the original steps from the teocali. There are so many indigenous details inside along with Mexika deities like Tlaloc, Quetzalcoatl and Coatlicue.I was able to be a part of a danza in honor of Tonantzin that is done here in December by Tonantzin Coatlicue. This was my second danza during my stay here in December. I learned so much history about the place, told through a man that kept up with the maintenance of the church. Through dusting and cleaning the symbols and sculpture revealed to him a history that is almost lost. He was able to tell and describe the story of the small town and the people who
lived there. As well as the history of the catholic conversion of the Mexikas. The danza was done right outside the church on top of the pebbled stones. I was able to hold my fire and help setup the altar. The danza felt light but strong. It was beautiful to see Tonantzin Coatlicue work as a team to be able to pull this danza off for one of their group members. Our danza was not the only one paying reverence to Tonantzin. The whole town was. There were vendors, fireworks and people were out for this special day. I wish I could have taken more pictures, but when you have a duty and are dancing, its hard to put out the camera. I took this picture in May 2009. I was taken here by Gerardo, I just recently learned its history in December.
lived there. As well as the history of the catholic conversion of the Mexikas. The danza was done right outside the church on top of the pebbled stones. I was able to hold my fire and help setup the altar. The danza felt light but strong. It was beautiful to see Tonantzin Coatlicue work as a team to be able to pull this danza off for one of their group members. Our danza was not the only one paying reverence to Tonantzin. The whole town was. There were vendors, fireworks and people were out for this special day. I wish I could have taken more pictures, but when you have a duty and are dancing, its hard to put out the camera. I took this picture in May 2009. I was taken here by Gerardo, I just recently learned its history in December. Please take a good look at the details inside.
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