Danza Azteca: Aguila Blanca

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a dance video, and I have to crash so I can get up for work in the morning, so I think I’ll kill two birds with one stone here. Speaking of birds (and bad puns), I’ve come across a video of the White Eagle Aztec dance (Ixtakcuauhtli in Nahuatl, Aguila Blanca in Spanish) on YouTube. This one is also courtesy of our friends Miguel Rivera and alexeix. Once again his performance is interesting not due to elaborate regalia, but due to the clear demonstration of the steps and drum rhythm, as well as his spirit and agility.

Courtesy link to alexeix’s page on YouTube for this danza video.

As to the meaning of this dance, I’m currently sketchy. I’ve seen it referenced as a warriors’ dance, which would go well with the strenuous acrobatics required and the traditional military symbolism of the eagle in traditional Aztec culture. Unfortunately, I can’t say anything conclusive one way or another at this point. I’ll have to keep looking and post an update when I find more. In the meantime, enjoy the dance!

October 24, 2008 | Categories: Arts & Sciences, Culture, Danza Azteca, Media, Religion, Video | Tags: ancient, antiguo, ayoyotes, Aztec, Aztec dance, Azteca, bells, Chichimeca, contemporary, contemporáneo, cultura, culture, dance, Danza Azteca, danza Chichimeca, danzante, drum, eagle, huehuetl, indígena, Indian, indigenous, indio, Ixtac Cuauhtli, Ixtakcuauhtli, learn, música, Mesoamerica, Mexica, Mexico, Miguel Rivera, music, Nahua, Nahuatl, native, supervivencia, survival, tradicional, traditional, traditional dance, video, warrior, warrior dance, White Eagle | Leave a comment