Rituals of resistance
Dances that tell stories of fierce struggle with amazing masks. Such are the Mexican traditions of the tecuanes (Acatlán de Osorio, Puebla) and the tastoanes (Tonalá, Jalisco).
Grotesque Smile (2023-12-16) by Edson Ramos Luna (photogapher)Colectivo Rokunin
Tecuanes of Acatlan de Osorio
Tecuani means devourer, beast, or beast. The hunt of this animal, a jaguar predator of cattle, is an exciting legend that is recreated through the dance of the tecuanes in Acatlán de Osorio (Puebla) and other dances in municipalities in the same state, Oaxaca and Guerrero.
Tecuani (2023-12-16) by Edson Ramos Luna (photogapher)Colectivo Rokunin
The legendary beast
The jaguar (also called tiger) attracts all eyes in this ritual. The thunderous sound of its chicote, a large whip made of ixtle, mixes with the sounds of the flute and drum.
Cross accusations
The story goes that the cattle of two neighboring tribes, one Chichimeca and the other Zapotec, were disappearing. Their leaders, old Lucas and old Moranchi, at first accused each other of theft. Dialogue led them to realize their mistake and identify the real threat.
The struggle of two peoples for survival
Old Lucas and Moranchi devise a way to catch the beast, they call all their sons to help them. They are the Tecuans and together they face this dangerous fight. The jaguar will claim several victims before it is caught, but eventually it will fall.
Confused Hubbub (2024-12-14) by Edson Ramos Luna (photogapher)Colectivo Rokunin
A great reunion party
The key date for the tecuanes of Acatlán de Osorio is October 24. They celebrate their patron saint San Rafael and dozens of groups of dancers, many of them formed by acatecos who migrated and return that day, go through the town forming a tide of hundreds of sombreros.
Rehearsals throughout the year
Groups such as the tecuanes Yuta Tixaa, in which the dancer and mascarero Chino Márquez participates, meet every weekend to rehearse the sones. Throughout the year they work to obtain resources to prepare their flashy costumes.
Passion for spreading their culture
They take the tradition to other parts of the country and the world thanks to migrants proud of this dance and the passion of people like Chino Márquez. They extend their legacy not only to the local children, but also to interested people from other nations.
Union of Two Peoples (2023-12-16) by Edson Ramos Luna (photogapher)Colectivo Rokunin
Pride and legacy
Emotion wells up when dancers like Chino Márquez try to explain that moment of transformation in the legendary characters. Leaving teachings in the generations that follow is their greatest satisfaction.
Monstrous Warriors (2024-12-13) by Edson Ramos Luna (photogapher)Colectivo Rokunin
Tastoans of Tonalá: Until your death or mine
The cry “Aixcaquema!” -until your death or mine- is the most repeated in the dance of the Tastoanes of Tonalá (Jalisco). They revive the legendary battle of the native settlers against the dispossession and evangelization, in a dramatic ritual with origins in the 18th century.
With their own hands
Each Tastoan makes his own mask by hand; it is a prerequisite for participation. Cowhide (cowhide), decorations of clay or other materials, cattle teeth and ixtle hair make up grotesque and unforgettable images.
Six decades creating
J. Jesús Delgado Navarro was nine years old when he created his first mask and participated in this dance that he explains with passion: the face of the tastoan has marks of smallpox (disease of the colonizers) and local vermin to scare: snake, lizard, spider, scorpion.
Relentless confrontation
The Tastoans interpret the fierce struggle against conquest and evangelization. At first they resist the violent attacks of Saint Santiago and manage to defeat him. They destroy and devour him, but he miraculously comes back to life to take revenge.
The Conflict of Evangelization (2024-12-13) by Edson Ramos Luna (photogapher)Colectivo Rokunin
The queen of the warriors
Cihualpilli Tzapotzintli, governor of Tonallan (present-day Tonalá) in the first encounter with the conquistadors, plays a key role. Although she finally adopted the Catholic faith, her cunning and bravery are recorded in the historical chronicles and are a source of pride.
Vanquished (2024-12-13) by Edson Ramos Luna (photogapher)Colectivo Rokunin
Dramatic defeat
The dance closes with the warriors finally defeated by the Santo Santiago. The pain and shock of this outcome is palpable in the atmosphere. Willing to give their lives in order not to submit, the Tastoans defended their land and identity with courage.
Moved Audience (2024-12-13) by Edson Ramos Luna (photogapher)Colectivo Rokunin
Passionate transformation
The final catharsis would be impossible without the emotion of each of the dancers. The hearts of the Tastoans beat like warriors and they feel that they are really fighting this life and death struggle. This is how J. Jesús Delgado explains it.
Festival Nacional de Máscaras Danzantes 2024
Coscomatepec, Veracruz, México
Photography: Edson Ramos Luna, Moisés González.
Video and sound: Edson Ramos Luna, Moisés González, Festival Nacional de Máscaras Danzantes.
Text and edition: Teresa Morte.
Direction and coordination: Itzel Mendoza.
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