CUAUHYOTL ABYA YALA
5 de Mayo
Danza Azteca
HUEHUECOYOTZIN
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, CENEMILIZTLI.
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 -- CHACANA: the Southern Cross, also known as the
constellation of the Confederation of the Condor, Tawantinsuyo.
TENAMAZTLE OF THE COSMOS
Three Steps
Emergence – Presence - Return
The three steps represent levels of attainment of consciousness in the three 'worlds' or tiers:
* Hanan Pacha: the upper world of the stars, celestial beings and gods (also represented by the condor)
* Kay Pacha: the middle world of Mother Earth and human life (also represented by the puma)
* Uqhu Pacha: the lower world of the underworld and death (also represented by the snake)
Central hole
The central hole represents the Incan capital of Cusco, the portal from one tier to the next, and the Eye of God.
Twelve points
The entire symbol additionally represents the cyclical year, with each of the twelve corners corresponding to a month.
Four arms
The four 'cross' arms represent:
* the four directions of the compass,
* the four 'classical elements' of earth, air, water and fire,
* the four main stars of the Southern Cross, an important constellation for the Inca, who believed that was the centre of the Universe.
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 among the O'Odham Nations of the territory 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 Abya Yala, 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!
It's not about what we want, it's what we WILL!
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TONATIERRA
www.tonatierra.org
NAHUACALLI
Embassy of Indigenous Peoples
