Entry #2. Finding my Indigenous Soul

The greatest feeling in the world is when your soul is soaring above the clouds. There are no worries of bills, school, and deadlines. It is the feeling in your stomach when you ride the last fall of Splash Mountain, the joy of celebrating the Eucharist during Mass, or the moment when you are captivated by something that makes you proud of your culture. 

My moment came while watching the Danza Azteca Grupo perform a blessing ceremony for a six month old girl. As they encircled the altar of hand carved drums, candles, a cajeta of smoldering herbs and resins, and flowers, all forty in full indigenous garb with headdresses feet high began to pray. 

The prayer was like no other, with the beat of a drum they began to sing simultaneously. At each chorus and the sound of a conch shell the grupo paid tribute to each navigational direction which was their way of saying everyone there and all the spirits present, it is your responsibility to protect and watch over this little girl. 

Although I have seen many Matechinas dance at the Augusto Festival in El Paso every year, Danza Azteca seemed to be more connected with our indigenous people. Each part and every movement of the ceremony has great meaning to the prayer. 

One of my favorite danzas was the prayer of Viejitas (old woman, grandmother). This prayer celebrates life and death. At first the movement is big which celebrates young life, but as time went on the dancers began to crouch and the movements were limited, however toward the end the of the prayer the grupo exploded into big movements celebrating the release of the soul no longer restricted by the physical ailments of the body. 

I cannot explain in words the joy I felt while watching the prayer. A light of peace struck my heart and I am forever captivated by the beauty of Danza Azteca.