Documentary: Herederos de Cushcatan

A beautiful documentary that showcases the cultural traditions of my people the Pipil of  Cuscatlan (present day El Salvador). I applaud everyone that made this film possible. I present to you "Herederos de Cushcatan"

http://vimeo.com/30330674

Temazcal

Temazcal (from the word Temazcalli "hot house" in Nahuatl) is a type of sweat lodge used by the various peoples of mesoamerica. The Temazcal in mesoamerica is constructed of volcanic rock and earth or cement and is a circular dome in shape.To produce the heat hot volcanic stones  are placed in a central hearth inside the temazcal and hot water is poured over them  to produce steam. The temazcal is used to purify the mind, body and spirit thus oftentimes the burning of sacred herbs such as copal, spearmint, or other herbs takes place for therapeutic purposes. Prayer and singing may accompany some of the ceremonies as well.

A temazcal is not simply a sauna and must be respected given the fact that in mayan and nahuan tradition it is thought that when one goes into a temazcal one is entering the "womb" of mother earth and thus receiving its spiritual and physical cleansing benefits. In recent times the temazcal has regained its importance in Mesoamerica and in places where the use had been forgotten or abandoned it is starting to make a comeback and once more takes its place as a wonderful and powerful therapy.

 Photo acquired from: http://www.raftinghuasteca.com/images/fotos/temazcal.jpg


Happy new year Everyone!


Ashta Nemanha Nuiknew!

Short Documentary on Traditional Healers

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to share an episode from a 1970's show that showcases the value and healing abilities of traditional Mesoamerican healers and also Inca healers. The show may be outdated but the information is still extremely relevant!! And I think the statements made in this documentary were ahead of its time.

My only criticism of the show is that it uses the word "Witch Doctor" which I absolutely loathe!

PLEASE NOTE: Most of the time you cannot photograph or take a video of a ceremony as it is something very private and sacred, in this case I decided to post these videos because the healers were more than likely consulted and they also did not tape the whole ceremony. 

Also Note the PHYSICIAN WHO IS ALSO A CURANDERO!!!! 

PART 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91MZvIOiO9I

PART 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol4HWCVWN2c&feature=related

Ashta Nemanha!

Copal

Copal is a tree resin that is burned as a ceremonial incense offering in traditional Mesoamerican medicine.
Copal is used in various contexts, a person may simply burn the copal inside their home in order to ward off bad winds or spirits and thus cleanse the "soul" of their home. Additionally copal is burned before dances and during prayers. Furthermore copal can be used during a Limpia by a curandero/a in order to aid in the healing of a person (similar to a North American Native smudging ceremony).

 Picture acquired from: http://nebelfront.org/images/incense/copal_blancomexico.jpg

ASHTA NEMANHA NUIKNEW!

Ancestral Medicine

We are not myths of the past, ruins in the jungle, or zoos. We are people and we want to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and racism.
-Rigoberta Menchu-

This quote by Rigoberta Menchu in my opinion is the best way to start a discussion about the traditions our peoples. The healing traditions (which are the focused on in this blog) of the Nahua, Mayan and other native groups of Anahuac are still alive. Obviously the unfortunate consequences that were brought about by colonization by the Europeans influenced the way of life of our peoples forever. Furthermore this colonization also marked forever the way in which this wisdom was passed on too future generations.
Nevertheless despite of the struggles and threats that the millenary wisdom of our ancestors has faced we are very fortunate that many were, are and will be courageous and maintained,maintain and will maintain this legacy alive.

The forced mixture that occurred with the coming of the Europeans to MesoAmerica and the repression against the people caused a large portion of the population to deny being indigenous and deny their customs as well. Unfortunately this repression still exists till this day.

My skin is brown, my eyes are dark, my hair is black, I eat tortillas, tamales, use amulets and thus recognize that I am indigenous to Anahuac. I hope that those people who deny their indigenous self look at themselves in the mirror and feel proud of what and who they are and not believe what they have been told for ages. The vast majority of our people identifies one way or another with their indigenous Anahuac blood and not with the colonizers thus in my opinion 90% of the population of MesoAmerica (and descendants of people from those regions) are indigenous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand that the reality is hard to face by many but its something that must be touched upon because to speak about our ancestors would be unjust without mentioning such a sensitive matter.

TEY MIKI TAY TUPAL (WHAT IS OURS NEVER DIES!)