Onda Latina

PROGRAM INFO

Title:

The Indigenous Movement In Mexico Today

Program #

1980-15

Themes:

Culture, Identity

Series:

Social Issues

Host:

Linda Fregoso

Guest:

Andres Segura

Date:

Feb 13, 1980

The Indigenous Movement in Mexico Today

In this interview conducted in Spanish, Andres Segura, a captain in the Confederacion de Concheros, discusses the traditions and beliefs of he ancient Chichimecas, Mexicas and Toltecas and his efforts to preserve and share Mexico’s indigenous heritage. Segura visited Austin at the request of several Chicano artists and leaders who asked that he help teach them about the Chicano Movement’s indigenous past and traditions. Segura explains that the traditions his organization preserves are mostly related to dance and oral histories and both play an important role in Aztec sacred ceremonies Segura further explains that the Mexica (or Aztecs) lived their life in accordance with natural laws and believed every activity reflected the divine.

Segura then discusses the term “Indian” and argues that to call Mexico’s indigenous people Indians is incorrect and ignores the region’s many cultures. Segura also explains the Aztec understanding of the origins of humanity. He also discusses the Aztec and Maya prophecies that describe the end of the world.

Segura describes the reactions of Chicanos who he has taught and explains that they have been eager to learn about their indigenous roots and shared past. Jose Flores, an artist who accompanied Segura, explained that Segura is helping to provide a spiritual base for the Chicano movement that will recharge activists.

KEYWORDS

Andres Segura
Atlantida
Atlantis
Aztec Calendar
Aztec Religion
Aztecs
Aztlan
Book of Chilam Balam
Chicanos and Indigenous culture
Chichimecas
Christopher Columbus
Confederacion de Concheros
Conquest
Cosmology
Cultural Preservation
Cultural Revival
Dance
End of the world
Epoch of four movements
Epochs
Eschatology
Europeans
Indians
Indigenismo
Indigenous Roots of Chicanismo
Maya
Mexicas
Mysticism
Nahuatl
Native Americans
Natural laws
Oral tradition
Priests
Race
Racial Knowledge
Ritual
Sacred dances
San Andreas Fault
Senor del Sacremonte
Spirituality and the Chicano Movement
Toltecas