[ Golden Gater Online - September 18, 1997 ]
Performances by the Aztec Dancers Group kicked off this month's celebrations of Latin America's and Mexico's liberation from Spain.
Consisting of 15 SF State students, the group performed "Danza," a series of traditional Mexican dances from the pre-Columbian era in Malcolm X Plaza on Monday. The dances honored Mexico's Independence Day, which is the first day of the Mexican revolution against Spain. The revolution began Sept. 15, 1810.
"The dance is a prayer for us," said David Sanchez, a creative arts major who has been dancing with the group for several years. While dancing may be a form of entertainment to many, for Sanchez and the other dancers, Danza has a symbolic significance -- it aims to achieve a balance of spirit, mind and soul among participants.
"We dance in circle in order to give and feel the energy of each other," Sanchez said. "Dancing is praying with our feet."
Sanchez expressed concern that many don't understand the sacred nature of the dance. Therefore, he said, many dancers refuse to discuss its importance to them as well as its underlying significance to their culture. Also, Monday's dancers refused to be photographed by Golden Gater staff.
"We ask people to have an open mind and respect for our culture," said Louie Gutierrez, another member of the group.
Sanchez said the dance serves many purposes. Besides paying tribute to ancestors, Sanchez said dancing is a way to support and give energy to the struggles of indigenous people in Latin America, Mexico and South Africa.
"Through dancing, we feel we support our community, our families," Sanchez said. "We pray for them."
A series of activities, movies and lectures on the history of Latin America's colonization titled "The Struggle for True Latin America Independence," sponsored by the La Raza Student Organization and ASI Women's Center will take place Thursday during Latin American Cultural Heritage and Political Awareness Day.
"We try to help our community," said Mario Flores of the La Raza Organization. "They may be liberated from Spain but there is still U.S. control."
[ Golden Gater - September 18, 1997 ]