San Benito, Texas—Like planets orbiting the sun, the colorfully dressed dancers move in circles around a center drum, all for respect, faith and heritage.
On Sunday, the Aztec-Chichimenca style dance group, which goes by Grupo Coatlicue, named after the Aztec Earth goddess, performed one of five obligatory dances for the year to St. James, also known as Señor Santiago. Other obligatory dances are for la Virgen de los Remedios, Señor Sacramentos, the Easter holiday and the Virgen de Guadalupe.
The group, one of two since 2001 to gain permission from Mexican tribes to dance in Texas, performed at its meeting center in San Benito. The center, Capulli Tlacalpalli, translates to “house of colors” in Nahuatl.
“My wife and I have been dancing for 25 years,” said Jose Garza, dance group captain.
The dancers are sometimes called concheros because they play a conch prior to each dance. But, their music comes from drum.
“There was something in the drum that called to us, like it has to others,” Garza said. “When we moved here, we continued dancing and a group grew from there.”
Most group members are proud to uphold traditions dating back to pre-Columbian times.
“The dances aren’t guided to the artistic side, but to tradition,” said eight-year member Fernando Elizalde.
He said he views the group’s roots as a “perfect blend” of Mexico’s Catholic influence and indigenous traditions.
“Every dance is like an offering to God,” he said. “It’s like our own form of prayer that represents the synergy, which formed the mestizo race.”
The group adds to the rhythm with hand-held rattles and ayayotes, which are special noisemakers attached to their ankles.
“I’m just learning, but it’s fun,” said 13-year-old Sevin Mendoza.
Mendoza is what the group calls a “principe,” or beginner, but a history of this dance is in his family.
His mother, Melissa, has been with the group on and off since 1993.
“The group’s size has varied from as small as five to 30,” she said. Currently, it has 15 members.
But, she knows the reason behind why she keeps dancing.
“We look for a balance that is universal,” Melissa said, referring to how dancers are like the planets revolving around the sun, or center drum.
“It’s nice to know that there is something here in the Valley that came right from our raices,” she added.
The Brownsville Herald
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