Empowering Westwood and Southwest Denver youth to preserve the ancestral legacy of the Mexika. This program will provide knowledge about Mexika philosophy and tradition, as well as providing an introduction to Danza Mexika with step by step classes.
These classes will be part lecture, part hands-on learning. During lectures we will cover a variety of topics, starting with the basics of danza/Mexika tradition such as the significance of the elements, the 6 directions and general knowledge of the guardians, and progress into more in-depth topics such as Indigeneity/identity, Chicanismo, the Tonalmachiotl (Aztec Calendar), festive dates for the Mexika, language, history of danza, and more. During the hands-on part of the classes, participants will learn new danzas, learn to make their own regalia, participate in ceremonies, and more.
The ultimate goal of this program is to spark youth interest in danza and furthermore educate youth about their roots and the traditional ceremonies that were passed down from our ancestors as a lifestyle of community and harmony with the Earth and all of our relatives.
It is important to note that the way in which these classes will be led/taught will not fall under a Westernized structure of academia/education. The knowledge being shared with participants is that of ancestral teachings, which outdated Eurocentric modes of teaching. Therefore it does not make sense, and in fact is counter productive, to approach these classes through the Western educational structure which is linear, chronological, “set in stone”, rigid etc. The curriculum is subject to change week by week based on the participants’ needs and interests.
These classes will be part lecture, part hands-on learning. During lectures we will cover a variety of topics, starting with the basics of danza/Mexika tradition such as the significance of the elements, the 6 directions and general knowledge of the guardians, and progress into more in-depth topics such as Indigeneity/identity, Chicanismo, the Tonalmachiotl (Aztec Calendar), festive dates for the Mexika, language, history of danza, and more. During the hands-on part of the classes, participants will learn new danzas, learn to make their own regalia, participate in ceremonies, and more.
The ultimate goal of this program is to spark youth interest in danza and furthermore educate youth about their roots and the traditional ceremonies that were passed down from our ancestors as a lifestyle of community and harmony with the Earth and all of our relatives.
It is important to note that the way in which these classes will be led/taught will not fall under a Westernized structure of academia/education. The knowledge being shared with participants is that of ancestral teachings, which outdated Eurocentric modes of teaching. Therefore it does not make sense, and in fact is counter productive, to approach these classes through the Western educational structure which is linear, chronological, “set in stone”, rigid etc. The curriculum is subject to change week by week based on the participants’ needs and interests.
youth registration info
Interested in signing up for the Danza Mexika Youth Afterschool Program? Click the link to learn more and to fill out our interest form.