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USA "Eagle Warrior: Let The Children Know" Jay Dunn 49 images Created 18 Nov 2013

"Eagle Warrior: Let The Children Know" was created over the course of a year, beginning in August, 2012 in Salinas, California. The images in this gallery are only part of the story. >> You can WATCH ""Eagle Warrior" in HD on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/72452868 or LISTEN to the soundtrack on Soundcloud http://bit.ly/18juPFm << STORY PRECIS: In their daily lives, members of the Yaocuauhtli "Eagle Warrior" family practice the respect their Aztec ancestors taught was central to a harmonious existence. Seen through the lens of ritual and dance, this is an intimate look at the role ancient traditions play in informing our cultural identity as Americans. Photographed and recorded by Jay Dunn. * * *This multimedia presentation is the winner of a First Place Gannett Award of Excellence for photojournalism, Second Place overall in "Best of Gannett," and a Blue Ribbon Finalist award in the California Newspaper Association's Better Newspapers Contest. * * *
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  • In a colorful indigenous ritual celebrated in Salinas, Aztec teachers, dancers, family and friends gathered together to perform an “xilonen” ritual for Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin, at the home of her parents. The elaborate ceremony on Saturday, February 9th, 2013, marked the transition from childhood to maidenhood. It is also one of the spiritual bases in Mexican tradition for the “quinceanera.”
    130827 JD eaglewarrior03.jpg
  • Details from some of the colorful headdresses belonging to the Aztec dance group Yaocuauhtli, which performed at the Caminos Del Arte Festival on Sunday, August 5th, 3012 at Natividad Creek Park in Salinas.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior02.jpg
  • In their sixth annual performance called "Day of Indigenous Resistance," Xochinecuhtli Alvarez (Nectar of a Flower) of the Salinas dance group Yaocuauhtli looks to the sky. Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day on October 12th, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior01.jpg
  • Details from some of the colorful headdresses belonging to the Aztec dance group Yaocuauhtli, which performed at the Caminos Del Arte Festival on Sunday, August 5th, 3012 at Natividad Creek Park in Salinas.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior04.jpg
  • Tlakatekolotl Nava (Man Owl) before a performance on September 9th, 2012 at Fiesta del Mar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. By teaching their children traditional dances and conduct, members of the Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior “calpulli,” or group, are preserving a proud ethnic heritage.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior05.jpg
  • A dancer prepares her costume before a performance on September 9th, 2012 at Fiesta del Mar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. By teaching their children traditional dances and conduct, members of the Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior “calpulli,” or group, are preserving a proud ethnic heritage.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior06.jpg
  • Headdresses ready before a performance on September 9th, 2012 at Fiesta del Mar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. By teaching their children traditional dances and conduct, members of the Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior “calpulli,” or group, are preserving a proud ethnic heritage.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior07.jpg
  • Ehecatl Chantico Moreno (Wind and Fire of the Home) applies makeup to her daughter before a performance on September 9th, 2012 at Fiesta del Mar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. By teaching their children traditional dances and conduct, members of the Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior “calpulli,” or group, are preserving a proud ethnic heritage.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior08.jpg
  • A young dancer waits for her mother to be ready for a performance on September 9th, 2012 at Fiesta del Mar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. By teaching their children traditional dances and conduct, members of the Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior “calpulli,” or group, are preserving a proud ethnic heritage.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior09.jpg
  • From left, Tonaltzin Olivares (Honorable Sun), Ayolotzin Nava (Heart like Water), Acamitzin Zamora (Dart of Bamboo), and Tlakatekolotl Nava (Man Owl) before a performance at Fiesta del Mar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Children in the Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior “calpulli,” or group, are taught traditions and are participating from a young age.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior10.jpg
  • Acamitzin Zamora (Dart of Bamboo) before a performance on September 9th, 2012 at Fiesta del Mar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. By teaching their children traditional dances and conduct, members of the Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior “calpulli,” or group, are preserving a proud ethnic heritage.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior11.jpg
  • Young dancer Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin shows her strength during a performance on September 9th, 2012 at Fiesta del Mar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. By teaching their children traditional dances and conduct, members of the Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior “calpulli,” or group, are preserving a proud ethnic heritage.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior13.jpg
  • The powerful rhythms of the "huehuetl" are part of this performance on September 9th, 2012 at Fiesta del Mar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. By teaching their children traditional dances and conduct, members of the Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior “calpulli,” or group, are preserving a proud ethnic heritage.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior12.jpg
  • Tlakatekolotl Nava (Man Owl) during a performance on September 9th, 2012 at Fiesta del Mar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. By teaching their children traditional dances and conduct, members of the Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior “calpulli,” or group, are preserving a proud ethnic heritage.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior14.jpg
  • Marcial Ramirez sounds the "atecocolli," which represents water, during Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior's weekly dances on Thursday evenings in El Dorado Park in Salinas. These gatherings, which are both instructional and devotional, are open to all, and can last many hours.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior17.jpg
  • Incense rises from an altar on the floor of the community room at El Dorado Park in Salinas. Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior's weekly dances on Thursday evenings are open to all. The gatherings are both instructional and devotional, and can last many hours.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior16.jpg
  • A brilliantly colored macaw graces the arm of one of Yaocuauhtli's drummers. The group performed at the Caminos Del Arte Festival on Sunday, August 5th, 3012 at Natividad Creek Park in Salinas.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior18.jpg
  • Marcial Ramirez leads a blessing during Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior's weekly dances on Thursday evenings in El Dorado Park in Salinas. These gatherings, which are both instructional and devotional, are open to all, and can last many hours.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior19.jpg
  • Rosalia Reyes of Salinas, whose Nahuatl name is Cuetzpaltzin, dances with Yaocuauhtli, which performed at the Caminos Del Arte Festival on Sunday, August 5th, 3012 at Natividad Creek Park in Salinas.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior20.jpg
  • Ixtacoatl Ruvalcaba leads a blessing before Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior's weekly dances on Thursday evenings in El Dorado Park in Salinas. These gatherings, which are both instructional and devotional, are open to all, and can last many hours.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior21.jpg
  • Children learn the traditions of their ancestors during Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior's weekly dances on Thursday evenings in El Dorado Park in Salinas. These gatherings, which are both instructional and devotional, are open to all, and can last many hours.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior23.jpg
  • Carol Ruvalcaba, with incense, welcomes Tonaltzin Olivares (Honorable Sun) and baby Ayolotzin Nava (Heart like Water) into the circle during Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior's weekly dances on Thursday evenings in El Dorado Park in Salinas. These gatherings, which are both instructional and devotional, are open to all, and can last many hours.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior24.jpg
  • Friends and family of the Aztec dance group Yaocuauhtli performed at a public “Day of the Dead” gathering on Friday night in the Foods Co parking lot in Salinas. Face painting, sugar skull decorating, "pan dulce" and "atole" were free for all. November 2nd is set aside to welcome home the spirits of adults, whose come home once a year to visit their relatives.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior22.jpg
  • Natividad Creek Park in Salinas was the site for this Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior performance of more than twenty dancers in full regalia. Participants of all ages like young Eduardo Rubio have to be in supreme physical condition, as ceremonies can last many hours, often in full sun.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior25.jpg
  • Multiple colors and meanings suffuse an altar on the floor of the community room at El Dorado Park in Salinas. Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior's weekly dances on Thursday evenings are open to all. The gatherings are both instructional and devotional, and can last many hours.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior26.jpg
  • Ehecatl Chantico Moreno (Wind and Fire of the Home) conducts a ceremony during Yaocuauhtli's sixth annual gathering called "Day of Indigenous Resistance. Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day on October 12th, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event on October 11th, 2012 was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior27.jpg
  • Ehecatl Chantico Moreno (Wind and Fire of the Home) conducts a ceremony during Yaocuauhtli's sixth annual gathering called "Day of Indigenous Resistance. Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event on October 11th, 2012 was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior28.jpg
  • Dancers salute the elements during Yaocuauhtli's sixth annual gathering called "Day of Indigenous Resistance." Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event on October 11th, 2012 was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior29.jpg
  • Ehecatl Chantico Moreno (Wind and Fire of the Home) welcomes dancers inside the circle during Yaocuauhtli's sixth annual gathering called "Day of Indigenous Resistance." Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event on October 11th, 2012 was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior30.jpg
  • At Yaocuauhtli’s sixth annual "Day of Indigenous Resistance" ceremony in El Dorado Park, Ehecatl Chantico Moreno (Wind and Fire of the Home) welcomes Ocelotl Gutierrez (Jaguar) into the circle after being blessed.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior31.jpg
  • At Yaocuauhtli’s sixth annual "Day of Indigenous Resistance" ceremony in El Dorado Park, Ehecatl Chantico Moreno (Wind and Fire of the Home) welcomes Ocelotl Gutierrez (Jaguar) into the circle after being blessed.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior32.jpg
  • At Yaocuauhtli’s sixth annual "Day of Indigenous Resistance" ceremony in El Dorado Park, Ehecatl Chantico Moreno (Wind and Fire of the Home) welcomes Ocelotl Gutierrez (Jaguar) into the circle after being blessed.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior33.jpg
  • Young Eduardo Rubio dances during Yaocuauhtli's sixth annual gathering called "Day of Indigenous Resistance." Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event on October 11th, 2012 was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior34.jpg
  • The powerful sound of the "huehuetl" drums drives Yaocuauhtli's sixth annual gathering called "Day of Indigenous Resistance." Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event on October 11th, 2012 was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior35.jpg
  • In their sixth annual gathering called "Day of Indigenous Resistance," Xochinecuhtli Alvarez (Nectar of a Flower) of the Salinas dance group Yaocuauhtli looks to the sky. Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event on Thursday, October 11th, 2012 was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior36.jpg
  • Dancers from Yaocuauhtli and other groups perform at the sixth annual gathering called "Day of Indigenous Resistance." Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event on October 11th, 2012 in Salinas was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior37.jpg
  • Members of other performing groups joined Yaocuauhtli's sixth annual gathering called "Day of Indigenous Resistance," dancing well into the night. Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event on October 11th, 2012 was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior38.jpg
  • Incense fills the air during a unique “xilonen” coming-of-age ritual for Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin at the Salinas home of her parents. Dancers from throughout the Aztec community in California came together on Saturday, February 9th, 2013, to celebrate her passage from childhood to maidenhood.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior40.jpg
  • Marcial Ramirez, right, and Rosalia Reyes dance during Yaocuauhtli's sixth annual gathering called "Day of Indigenous Resistance." Held as a deliberate counterpoint to Columbus Day, which is also sometimes called "Day of the Races," or "Hispanic Day," the event on October 11th, 2012 was meant to highlight long-standing New World traditions, saying "We are Aztecas, Zapotecas, Mexicas, Toltecas, Huicholes, Trikis, Mayas, Incas, Tarahumara, etc," and encouraging everyone to express pride in their pre-Colombian identities.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior39.jpg
  • Details from the elaborate altars constructed for a unique “xilonen” coming-of-age ritual for Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin at the Salinas home of her parents. Dancers from throughout the Aztec community in California came together on Saturday, February 9th, 2013, to celebrate her passage from childhood to maidenhood. The ritual is one of the spiritual bases in Mexican tradition for the “quinceanera.”
    130827 JD eaglewarrior41.jpg
  • Victor Juarez, one of the founders of Yaocuauhtli, preparing for a unique “xilonen” coming-of-age ritual for Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin at the Salinas home of her parents. Dancers from throughout the Aztec community in California came together on Saturday, February 9th, 2013, to celebrate her passage from childhood to maidenhood. The ritual is one of the spiritual bases in Mexican tradition for the “quinceanera.”
    130827 JD eaglewarrior42.jpg
  • Marcial Ramirez and Maria Angeles Rios of Yaocuauhtli - Eagle Warrior apply makeup prior to a unique “xilonen” coming-of-age ritual for Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin at the Salinas home of her parents. Dancers from throughout the Aztec community in California came together to celebrate her passage from childhood to maidenhood.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior43.jpg
  • Yaocuauhtli member Ehecatl Chantico Moreno (Wind and Fire of the Home) shows the elements of her handmade outfit come together. The group's elaborate headdresses are assembled for each dance.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior45.jpg
  • Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin's white outfit was painstakingly handmade, and will be seen first during her unique “xilonen” coming-of-age ritual, celebrated at the Salinas home of her parents.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior46.jpg
  • Dancers from throughout the Aztec community in California came together on Saturday, February 9th, 2013, to perform a unique “xilonen” coming-of-age ritual for Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin at the Salinas home of her parents.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior47.jpg
  • Copal incense fills the air during a unique “xilonen” coming-of-age ritual for Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin at the Salinas home of her parents. Dancers from throughout the Aztec community in California came together on Saturday, February 9th, 2013, to celebrate her passage from childhood to maidenhood.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior48.jpg
  • Dancers from throughout the Aztec community in California came together on Saturday, February 9th, 2013, to perform a unique “xilonen” coming-of-age ritual for Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin at the Salinas home of her parents.
    130827 JD eaglewarrior49.jpg
  • Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin, center, during her coming-of-age ceremony. In a colorful indigenous ritual celebrated in Salinas, Aztec teachers, dancers, family and friends gathered together to perform an Aztec “xilonen” ritual for Cuauhyolotzin at the home of her parents. The elaborate ceremony marks the transition from childhood to maidenhood, and is the spiritual basis in Mexican tradition for the “quinceanera.”
    130827 JD eaglewarrior51.jpg
  • Josselyn Melanie Cuauhyolotzin, seated, is purified during her coming-of-age ceremony. In a colorful indigenous ritual celebrated in Salinas, Aztec teachers, dancers, family and friends gathered together to perform an Aztec “xilonen” ritual for Cuauhyolotzin at the home of her parents. The elaborate ceremony marks the transition from childhood to maidenhood, and is the spiritual basis in Mexican tradition for the “quinceanera.”
    130827 JD eaglewarrior50.jpg