Ricardo Peña and the Aztec Dancers-UNIV+
ENGLISH (para ESPAÑOL mire abajo): This is a documentary based on an interview with Ricardo Peña, the leader and chief drummer of a group of Aztec dancers in the San Francisco Bay Area. The interview is intercut with scenes of the dancing as Ricardo Peña beats the rhythm out on the large drum known as "huehuetl," which means "grandfather" in his native Nahuatl language.
Born in southern Mexico to an indigenous family that follows the traditional Aztec religion of their ancestors, it seemed natural to Ricardo Peña to continue the tradition after he moved to California. In the interview, in which he explains that dancing is a form of prayer for the Aztecs, he shows us the various parts of his elaborate ritual dress and explains each one. For a very long time, many Mexicans have been ashamed of their indigenous heritage but for Ricardo Peña, his family and the dancers in his group, it is a source of pride. This documentary is in Spanish with English subtitles.
ESPAÑOL: Este es un documental basado en una entrevista con Ricardo Peña, líder y principal tamborilero de un grupo de danzantes aztecas en el área de la bahía de San Francisco. La entrevista está intercalada con escenas del baile mientras Ricardo Peña marca el ritmo con un tambor grande conocido como “huehuetl,” que significa abuelo en su idioma nativo Nahuatl.
Nacido en la parte central de México en una familia indígena que sigue la religión tradicional azteca de sus antepasados, a Ricardo Peña le pareció natural continuar con la tradición después de mudarse a California. En la entrevista, en la que explica que el baile es una forma de orar para los aztecas, él nos muestra las distintas partes de su elaborada vestimenta ritual y explica cada una de ellas. Durante mucho tiempo, muchos mexicanos se han avergonzado de su herencia indígena, pero para Ricardo Peña, su familia y los danzantes en su grupo, es motivo de orgullo. El documental está en español con subtítulos en inglés.
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Ricardo Peña and the Aztec Dancers (Ricardo Peña y los danzantes aztecas)
ENGLISH (para ESPAÑOL mire abajo): Have you ever wondered what happened to the Aztecs? Well, they are still here. In this half-hour documentary, master drummer Ricardo Peña of Mexico, leader of an Aztec dance group in the San Francisco Bay Area, explains to us the meaning and values of today's...