INSTITUTO DE CULTURA Y ARTE
IN XOCHITL IN CUICATL
ACTIVITIES
Working in collaboration with the Mexica Tiahui Danza Azteca Group, we host numerous ceremonies, workshops, and events throughout the year that feature various aspects of indigenous Mexica culture.
AZTEC DANCING WORKSHOPS
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CUAUHTEMOC CEREMONY (Approximately last weekend of February)
A day-long celebration that supports our indigenous/Latino youth through the example of Cuauhtemoc, the last Mexica (Aztec) leader who was young but fought bravely against the Spanish conquest. The ceremony encourages the youth to avoid negative influences on their lives (e.g. drugs and alcohol) and encourages them to take seriously all aspects of their education (academic, indigenous, spiritual) and to respect their elders.
MEXICA NEW YEAR (Approximately mid-March)
An evening celebration that encourages participants to rededicate themselves to self-improvement and moving closer to their indigenous heritage.
ARBOL DE LA MEXICANIDAD
(Early April)
A day-long celebration of our ancestral roots. Participants are invited to research and reflect on their family history, regardless of where they are from. They then decorate a flag that symbolizes their ancestral roots, and attach it to a tree, which is then given to one of the participants to take home and care for. The ceremony is intended to help participants connect to, and draw strength from, their ancestral past.
GATHERING OF CULTURES CEREMONY
(Last weekend of July/first weekend of August)
A weekend-long ceremony celebrating the anniversary of Mexica Tiahui (the Danza Azteca group) receiving its official flag (pantli) that authorizes it to present and teach Danza Azteca, with all of the accompanying traditions. This transmission was given to them from the Indigenous elder who taught them and who is the recipient of these traditions going back some 10 generations (200 years!). This is by far our largest ceremony, as it includes providing space, facilities, and meals for a camp-out consisting of some 400 people.
HUCKLEBERRY PICKING (Mid-August)
A weekend-long camp-out to pick wild huckleberries, which are often included in the meals for other ceremonies listed here.
PREPARATION/WORK-SHOPS FOR DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (September-October)
These preparations include painting a new large mural for the ceremony, making elaborate seed art, sugar skulls, and other artifacts that are part of our ceremonial altar, as well as making food for the celebration.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS(First weekend of November)
All-night and day celebration in honor of our past ancestors that includes singing, dancing, music, and food.
TONANTZIN (Mid-December)
An evening celebration in honor of Tonantzin/La Virgen de Guadalupe/Mother Earth. Tonantzin is Mexica representing mother earth who was later synthesized with La Virgen de Guadalupe. This celebration honors both but also honors all women and their importance for maintaining the strength and vitality of all communities.
PRESENTATIONS IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS/ ORGANIZATIONS(Year-round)
Our group also gives presentations to organizations all over the Portland-Metro area and beyond, including schools at all levels (Elementary, High School, and College). We also participated in the 2016 Portland Rose Festival, and the float we accompanied won first place!