La Energia en DF y Puebla

After many plate sales, planning, discussions, and most of all, practice- the entire Grupo made it down to DF & Puebla to visit our Maestra Tonantzin to commemorate 26 years of her grupo becoming established and receiving their pantlin*.
I was excited to see DF (my first time) and even more to be able to see my teachers home & her altar. I was anxious to get into the ceremonies of the weekend and I was nervous about what I might see and hear - but with months to prepare- I just made sure to come humbly and with an open heart & mind.

Arriving in DF, we were able to walk near the Zocalo where tents were set up protesting for workers rights- and do a bit of shopping close to the adjacent cathedral where people were set up selling jewelry, dresses, pictures, and all sorts of danzante garb.
We then caught one of dozens of taxis & visited a yerberia closeby to pick up a few pounds of copal** for our journey & for back home before heading to a big bus station to catch a 2 hour ride to Puebla.
Once in Puebla, we caught a ride to Maestras house near a school in the town and were lead to the altar that had already begun being prepare for the nights vellaccion.
It was precisely 6:00pm on May 21st when our eyes gazed upon the huge altar and we presented ourselves to it and to our Maestra and all her guests- including our brother, Quiahuitl. I felt overwhelmed for a moment. My mind and body realizing fully where I was- where I had worked toward for so long.

 What came after was hard work. Staying up all night as group after group arrived and presented themselves as we had. Sharing songs that never stopped, not once, from the moment they had begun- sung with so much heart that in between my trying to follow along, I swallowed down knots that formed in my throat. My body fought me. My legs and feet begging for me to sit down, lay down, fall over- anything to relieve them of the pain of standing for hours. Thick oatmeal and perfectly rolled cigarettes began to mix in my psyche with flowers of all colors creating formations and bastones of all types, and palabras from many a traveled red roader***. But we stood, stared, and sang pushing to the limit of ourselves in honor & reflection of good work and harmony- in Tonantzin/Mother Earth.

Buenas noches a la Capitana
Buenas noches al pie de su altar

And then the danza came that went from 1030am the next morning to close to 5pm- where we danced to create a good strong energy and I felt connected to my fellow group members and the other danzantes present- recognizing some new faces & some that had become familiar overnight. My mind fought me- wanting to watch the expressions of the faces of people that passed our mathematical formations made up of over 80 danzantes. We paused to take bites of frozen fruits and take in the nourishment of melon, limon, and pineapple aquas... thought I yearned for H2O. Becoming in sync through some of the danzas in such a way that I heard songs being sung through the rattle of our ayoyotes^. Ancient joyous songs. And when it was over, we carried our cargos back to Maestras home- I held the water, my sister held a baston^^, Jessica her fire, and Mateo with his sonaja^^^- marching along with everyone else helping us get back to the altar.
Once back, the ones who had led the ceremonias and ones who were asked spoke again about the significance of the work we'd done & what messages they had received and would share with those that couldn't attend.
I met the man who made my first headress & friends of Houston-made friends in danza over dinner before Tona waved down a taxi and sent us on our way for a late ride back to D.F.
We've been reflecting on those two days since. So full of information, truth, messages, stories, songs, and our vibrant and resilient Selves in the danza tradition.

* pantli- flag; a flag created to represent your group once you have earned the right to create and carry one
** copal- tree resin or sap; used as a cleansing incense in the Mexicayotl tradition
*** road roader- when a person begins to take the path of a Mexicayotl inspired lifestyle, that person is said to be walking on the red road
^ ayoyotes- part of the danza attire; ayoyotes are seeds from the Ayoyote Tree that the dancer wears around their ankles
^^ baston- a small cane adorned with flowers from the altar
^^^ sonaja- rattle



PS. We had amazing food & drink our entire stay- for example a sweet grass tea that tasted so sweet and rich.. yum!

Mexicayotl in Fotos

Here is a small slideshow of our grupo and the grupos in Tejas y Mejico we have had the good fortune of encountering.

Manifesting Our Generator

it's all about the experience. and in Mexicayotl, you find that every time you touch an arma- come near the fire- hear the drum- even just have a conversation with a fellow brother or sister, you are being connected to your genetic memory...and it's always a lesson/ something to reflect on/ something that shows you that you can handle so much more than you think you can/and a moment to enjoy- body and mind.
i reflect on this as my grupo is creating our generator**, Tlazolteotl out of clay for our altar.
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from a deep brown colored clay brick i pulled what i estimated i needed to create the man* coming from Tlazolteotl's womb. my hands moved rhythmically as i studies the pictures we'd printed from my home computer-ha. i calculated her curvature and studies her face, looked at the face of the man* that came from her as it contrasted to her intense expression. as i began to form her torso i kept my thoughts on how her depiction symbolizes the energy of regeneration. that is, taking things that have died away or are soiled and recycling them to things that are useful and beautiful. as i created her, i reflected on how i exhibit this energy- and i let myself relish in it for a while...
we are creating her- from our intentons, drives, and minds.
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* i use man as a loose term here because the human coming out of Tlazolteotl's womb can symbolize man, woman, and all other things in existence. I make this destinction just as a precaution as the average onlooker can sometimes miss the true symbolism of the Mexica/Aztec works of art.
** the main energy you give acknowledgement and take your energy to & from in your danza grupo.

Danza in Tonanzintla, Puebla

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.

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.

Please take a good look at the details inside.

Hidalgo Park: The Place We Dance

Mini-Tour of Hidalgo Park in Houston, TX. We are looking forward to getting to know more of the history of this park & the people that live nearby!

Who We Are/ General Group Information

Who We Are

We are a emerging group of danzantes (Mexica/Aztec dancers) that is starting up here on the East End. We are teachers, students, workers, activists, and all members of the Houston community.

Why We Are Here

While we all have our own reasons for joining danza and the Mexicayotl* lifestyle, we are here collectively dancing in your area to bring the dance of the ancient people of this land back into the hearts of the Brown community, from where it originates. We also formed as living proof that though our people have suffered much in the hands of those who wish us harm, our ancient ways have survived for over 500 years and we are all Native/Original People.

When We Practice

Every Saturday @ 9:00am

Hidalgo Park– 7000 Ave Q, Houston, TX 77011

Can You Join

We hold an Open Danza Circle which means that everyone is welcome to come and learn. There are no fees to learn, join, or practice with us.

*Mexicayotl– the essence of Mexicanismo/ the heart of the Mexica. Modernly used to describe a system of traditions and beliefs passed down by the Aztec/Mexica people from whom we descend from.