They start young in Teotitlan del Valle

One of the things I realized quite a while ago was that in order to really bask in the natural essence of any one culture (and truly grok it), one must be born into that culture.  Think samba and Brazil or Cuban rhythms or here in Oaxaca, carrying heavy canastas or penachos on your head and dancing. 

Sure, you can learn how to samba or play Cuban music, but I am talkin' about being born into something, so that it is precognitive.  I see it all the time here with little kids, who do things so naturally that they are not even thinking about it.  And they are good at it.

I see three-year-olds doing things I wish I could, like the steps to the danza de las plumas.  So it was great to see the infantiles doing their thing in front of the municipal building in Teotitlan del Valle on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The once and future Monctezuma?

Doña Marina

It is highly competitive and a great honor to be one of the official dancers.  I know that as soon as women become pregnant and know they will have a girl, they start thinking about the child being either Malinche or Doña Marina.  It is a very serious competition.  The current girls are six.  They will be nine when they finish and I assume their replacements have already been chosen.

These kids are good already, ready for prime time.

Lots of help from parents who were anxiously standing by with water and advice.

Look at that face!  No wonder the traditions live on.