(Zarco Guerrero) We now move to the pre-Columbian section on the far right of the north wall. Here we are introduced to a character you will see many times in the exhibit. The tiger or "El Jaguar", The Jaguar. The tiger is a character dating back to pre-Colombian times and is much symbolic as it is literal.
The Olmecs, the mother culture of Mexico, believe themselves to be descendants of the scared jaguar. The Tigre represents forces that are to be faced. Fertility and power are some of the themes that are emitted by the enactment of the Tigre dances. Gayle Castañeda, Director of the Castañeda Museum of Ethnic Costumes in Tucson, tells us more about the way Tigre Dance is presented in one specific town.
(Gayle Castañeda) One of the most dramatic presentations of the Tiger Dance is done in Sitlala, Guerrero, Nahua. And in this village, young men don the leather jaguar masks, heavy leather jaguar masks. And there's a battle between two barrios of the town. And one side will have a green-colored mask. One side will have a yellow-colored mask. And I will read—each year the young men from these two barrios meet at midday the first week—it'll take place during the first week of May.
So, each year the young men from these two barrios meet at midday in the town square to do ritual combat in a manner remarkably similar to that associated with 15th and 16th century Mexico. Armed with clubs made of tightly wrapped, sun-hardened rope these representatives from each barrio sally forth and meet each other in gladiatorial conflict pounding one another until someone capitulates.
Each encounter is intense and violent. Tempers flair on both sides. And the tensions between the two sides become more apparent as the day wears on. Community leaders, assisted by village police with loaded guns, maintain some sense of order and prevent the emotions of the crowd from escalating to a point beyond control.
Each encounter lasts only a minute or so, after which these warriors return to their respective sides, usually exhausted and frequently bloodied.
(Zarco Guerrero) Interesting also is the fact that a Nahua community, now living in Mesa, Arizona, has revitalized the Tejuani mask dance of the jaguar, and now performs throughout the state.
Special Thanks to Gateway for their support of this project.
Many thanks also to the University of Arizona Disability Resources Center for transcribing the tour episodes.
indicates link opens in a new window.
