Our Story

Letter of Introduction

from our Founder, Susana De Leon

KetzalCoatlicue (Precious mother earth) is a Kalpulli (a community) of

Indigenous people joined by the desire to learn, share, and live in the Indigenous

dance tradition of Mexico. KetzalCoatlicue pursues this spiritual, mental, and physical

vocation with music from the sacred drum, concha (armadillo), conch shells, seeds, and

other instruments gifted by the natural environment. Our group consists of multi-age

dancers with varying years of experience. We are located in South Minneapolis,

Minnesota.

Since the Spanish invasion of Mexico in the 16th Century, Indigenous

communities in Mexico preserved the Chichimeca “Aztec” dance, ceremony, and

science through oral tradition and musical innovation. Aztec dance performance

was confined to religious celebrations until the early 20th century, when a new

movement of consciousness gave way to the Mexicayotl (Indigenous centered

social organization), opening the performance of dance and ceremony to

celebrations outside the church. Dance and its cultural components have

survived primarily through oral tradition imparted upon dancers at ceremonies.

Mexican teachers from ancient dance boards have brought this knowledge to

KetzalCoatlicue in Minnesota.

KetzalCoatlicue receives intensive instruction in all the aspects of tradition by

visiting dance communities within Mexico and the U.S. and by having teachers

come to Minnesota several times a year. This traditional relationship has opened

the doors for us to participate ceremonies such as: Saint Paul Apostle, Lady of

Guadalupe, Sacromonte, Chalma, Los Remedios, Santiago Apostle, and in

cultural renewal celebration such as “Xopantla” in Minneapolis, and other non-

ceremonial events such as the MN Timberwolves, Women’s Big Ten

Championship, the Torch Light parade, Pride, Open Street celebrations, and

numerous festivals in Minnesota and all over the Midwest.

In 2019, KetzalCoatlicue presented Aztec dance at the Spirit of the Planet festival in

Scotland and Italy, and in 2021, we were nominated to represent the Midwest in

Dubai. We are a COMPAS and Young Audiences of Minnesota global artists.

KetzalCoatlicue offers authentic presentations with cultural interpretation on the

natural elements depicted in the dance steps and the connection between the

dances and the environment. We have created and taught a curriculum which

includes lectures, environmental education, story telling, environmental art

projects, and dance. A presentation may consist of our performance with cultural

interpretation or audience participation and dance performance. Additionally, we

offer cultural workshops on Mexican Indigenous culture which can include dance

movement.

We accept dance engagements depending on the availability of our members.

Evening and weekends are ideal performance times. We require at least a 30-

minute time slot for us to complete a dance presentation. We request parking

near the entrance of the venue, a place to change and a secure/safe space for

our belongings. We also require water for before and after the performance.

Our rates vary and are set according to the site, driving-time, program’s funds

available and type of celebration. None of the dancers get paid, they are all

volunteers. All proceeds are invested in the three programs for youth we run

year-round and for transportation and food.

If you require additional information please call us at (612) 822-6269 or

danzaketzal@gmail.com .

In Tlanextia

In Tonatiuh

Mexica Tiahui.

Susana De León, Director