Danza Azteca
According to the traditional teachings of the Nican Tlacah, the Indigenous Peoples of the Nahuatl Nations, all of humanity shares equally in the warmth of Father Sun, and the sacred sustenance from Mother Earth. Besides being a scientific formula written in cultural terms, this relationship serves as TEOXICALLI : a nest for the development of our collective human awareness, one which allows for the emergence of understanding, respect, harmony, and peace.
At the horizon of a new day, a New Sun, Danza Azteca Huehuecoyotzin brings these traditional teachings forward upon the celebration of 5 de Mayo. More than just a historical commemoration of the Battle of Puebla, Mexico in 1862 the indigenous ceremonies related to 5 de Mayo have an ancient astronomical significance. It is during these days celebrated annually by the Indigenous Nations of Mexico, that a certain constellation gains prominence over the southern horizon in Anahuac for the first time since winter -- the Southern Cross, also known as the constellation of the Confederation of the Condor, Tawantinsuyo.
As members of the Indigenous Nations of the Continental Confederacy of the Eagle and the Condor, El 5 de Mayo is thus also a commemoration of the ancient Treaty between the North and the South which mutually binds us to this day as Nations of the Indigenous Peoples of this continent Abya Yala and the world.
On August the 12th, 1521, the traditional council of the Confederation of Anahuak issued a mandate for the future generations from the center of Mexico, in Tenochtitlan. Nearly five hundred years later, the traditional circle of families known as HUEHUECOYOTZIN continue to perpetuate this powerful call to destiny and harmony for all humanity, known as the Nahuatilamatl. The Huehuecoytzin is a constellation of families living here in the Valley of the Sun who practice this discipline and teachings of the Mexicayotl, a contemporary expression of the way of life of the Nican Tlacah, the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico Izkalotlan, Aztlan and Cemanahuak.
The Zacapoaxtla Battalion and the Battle of 5 de Mayo, 1862
Originating from settlements of the Indigenous Nations of the Nahuas, Chichimecas and Toltecas, the region known as Zacapoaxtla is recognized for providing the majority of fighters at the Battle of 5 de Mayo in 1862. These some 4,000 Indigenous Peoples faced the bayonets and rifles of the 8,000 man French Army armed only with only machetes and valor. They emerged victorious, and left the legacy of one of the most significant military victories by the Indigenous Peoples of the continent against those who would subjugate us to colonization.
The French were arrogant and Eurocentric in their thinking, and were eventually deported back to Europe. Today we face the same battle, and must recall the same courage as in 1862. But today our weapons are not instruments of destruction and death. Today we are called to battle not in a military campaign, but against the doctrines of cultural supremacy, racism and fear that would deny the reality of our common humanity that we share with each and all.
Today our weapons are our Principles: Respect, Dignity, Cultural Self Determination and EDUCATION, as we advance in the Battle against Ignorance, the Battle of 5 de Mayo!
!La Batalla de 5 de Mayo es todos los Dias!
Links:
http://www.carnaval.com/cinco/cinco_history.htm
Zacapoaxtla: símbolo del heroísmo de la Sierra Norte de Puebla
Zacapoaxtla: a symbol of heroism in Puebla's Sierra Norte
http://www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/timeline/10.html
www.tonatierra.org
http://www.cumbrecontinentalindigena.org