The Dance of the Jaguar

My Scholarship entry - Aztec Dancers

MEXICO | Monday, 24 November 2014 | Views [333] | View Larger Image

When the full moon reaches a certain point in the sky, it projects some shadows over the mountains forming the profile of a jaguar, Panthera Onca, accompanying the rituals of intense dance.

The dancers blow the seashell, known as ‘atecocolli’, asking for permission to start the dance, this is made facing the four cardinal points, the floor and sky. The sound travels and as soon as this happens, the dance starts with the sound of the ‘huehuetl’, a tubular drum made from a wooden body and skin stretched over the top.

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The sun is out and the ceremony is about to conclude. Some dancers play their traditional guitar covered by armadillo skin, while the flowers gathered in sticks are being passed between the assistants along with copal incense, the final blessing.

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The Dance of the Jaguar

My Scholarship entry - Aztec Dancers

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