Willow Glen Resident

Cover Story

Photographs by Vicki Thompson

Ancestor Tribute: Nauhxayacatl prepares for the fire dance. Her copilli or headdress is designed and worn in reverence to her ancestors and the dead. She holds the statue of Huehueteotl, the deity of the ancient sun and center of the universe.

Sacred Beat

Dancers' roots survive test of time

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Bare feet shuffle back and forth. There's a rushing sound from shells hugging ankles. War paint stretches from ear to ear, while emerald- and chocolate-colored plumes sway quietly around the dancers' heads. Through it all the dancers cast a striking shadow on the floor, as if the ghosts of their ancestors have joined the performance.

The group of Aztec dancers gather in a circle. One of their members lies on the floor and holds his feet over a flame flickering from a statue of Huehueteotl, the ancient sun deity. This ritual is part of the fire dance, a test of bravery for the ancient Aztec Eagle and Jaguar or elite warriors.

The Calpulli Tonalehqueh, a local Aztec dance group with members from throughout San Jose, practice at the Gardner Community Center in preparation for their annual Mexica or Aztec New Year in March.

"The staff at the community center was friendly and received us with open arms," says group leader Mitlalpilli Gonzales.

Gonzales says one of the driving forces behind the group's efforts is to give the youth an identity.

"We help them know who they are and where they come from--know their roots," he says. "If you cut the roots of a plant, it can't grow. It's the same for people."

The event is free to the local community and is the end result of a collaborative effort between the city of San Jose, the community center, the Gardner Advisory Council and the dance group.

"It just shows what you can achieve when all groups align with each other," says Gardner Community Center director and Gardner resident Tony Torres.

Having the dance group at the community center for the last two years provides two benefits, Torres says.

"It gives the community cultural awareness as well as an opportunity to be part of a performing art," he says.

The community center, in conjunction with the dance group, offers free dance classes to the community every Wednesday night at the center, but Torres says none of this would have been possible without a strong partnership.

Torres says young people are seldom exposed to cultures, especially ancient ones. But when the opportunity presents itself--such as New Year celebrations and classes at the community center--youth and residents alike become interested.

"These events go further than individual ethnicity," Torres says. "It's about sharing one another's roots."

Gardner resident Pati Palomares-Mason agrees.

"We have to show the youth that we're not just pages in a book," Palomares-Mason says.

The Gardner resident has lived in the neighborhood since 1962 and says there are tangible benefits to having a dance group in the neighborhood.

"It helps our youth as well as others in the community to identify with something," she says. "It makes them feel good about themselves."

Palomares-Mason was also involved in dance groups for 14 years and says the primary principles taught to the members, youth and community through the classes are respect and humility.

Dance group member Nauhzayacatl Chavira says that these principles are only part of the group's vision.

"Our existence is based on night and day, man and woman," Chavira says. "Our goal is to live in harmony with the world around us."

The dance group offers more than just dance lessons, though, she says.

"It's not just information and culture but presentation and living the cultures through spiritual meetings and reunions," Chavira says. "It's teaching our children to try to live with balance."

The Mexica New Year Celebration will take place at the Gardner Community Center, 520 W. Virginia St., on March 10-11. Saturday's events will begin at 6 a.m. with a sunrise ceremony and Sunday's events will begin at 10 a.m. with the Aztec Dancers. Both days will end at 6 p.m.

Food, music, vendors and dancers will be at the event.

For more information, contact Mitlalpilli Gonzales at 408.324.6215 or visit www. pochtecayotl.com.