
Episode 5: Juan Tejeda & Danza Azteca
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04/20/21 • 66 min
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Juan Tejeda and Danza Azteca
In this episode, we talk to Juan Tejeda about the history of Danza Azteca, Mesoamerican pseudohistory, and Juan Luna Cardenas!
Juan Tejeda retired in 2016 as a professor of Mexican American Studies and Music from Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas. A musician, writer, arts administrator and Xicano activist, from 1976 to 1985 he was the jefe segundo of Xinachtli, the first traditional Mexica-Azteca Conchero dance group in Texas; and from 1980 to 1998 he was the Xicano Music Program Director at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio. He is the button accordionist and vocalist with the Conjunto Aztlan, and along with his wife, Anisa Onofre, is the co-owner and publisher of Aztlan Libre Press.
Your hosts:
Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.
@kurlytlapoyawa
Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
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Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking
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Juan Tejeda and Danza Azteca
In this episode, we talk to Juan Tejeda about the history of Danza Azteca, Mesoamerican pseudohistory, and Juan Luna Cardenas!
Juan Tejeda retired in 2016 as a professor of Mexican American Studies and Music from Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas. A musician, writer, arts administrator and Xicano activist, from 1976 to 1985 he was the jefe segundo of Xinachtli, the first traditional Mexica-Azteca Conchero dance group in Texas; and from 1980 to 1998 he was the Xicano Music Program Director at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio. He is the button accordionist and vocalist with the Conjunto Aztlan, and along with his wife, Anisa Onofre, is the co-owner and publisher of Aztlan Libre Press.
Your hosts:
Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.
@kurlytlapoyawa
Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
RSVP for the Yazzie/Martinez Community Gathering!
Find us:
Merch: Shop Aztlantis
Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking
Previous Episode

Episode 4: The Declaration of Kuauhtemok
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The Declaration of Kuauhtemok
It is said that on Aug 12, 1521 Kuauhtemok delivered a message of resistance to the people. Those words have inspired Mexikas as a call to action. Join us in exploring this foundational document of modern Mexikayotl.
Your hosts:
Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.
Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
Works cited in this episode:
Invented Words: The Declaration of Kuauhtemok (2017) by @KurlyTlapoyawa & @MagnusPharao
Cronica Mexicayotl (late 1500s) by Fernando Alvarado Tezozomoc
"Mexikayotl:" esencia del mexicano; filosofía náuatl (1969) María del Carmen Nieva López
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
RSVP for the Yazzie/Martinez Community Gathering!
Find us:
Merch: Shop Aztlantis
Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking
Next Episode

Episode 6: Hijacking History (The Problem With The "Black Olmec" Myth)
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Hijacking History (The Problem With The "Black Olmec" Myth)
In this episode, we talk about the racial pseudohistory of the "Black Olmec" myth, and how it serves to erase, trivialize, and destroy the cultural legacies of Indigenous and African people!
Your hosts:
Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.
@kurlytlapoyawa
Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
Links:
Reality Dysfunction Podcast #83 featuring Kurly and Tlakatekatl!
Further reading:
Robbing Native American Cultures: Van Sertima's Afrocentricity and the Olmecs
Journal retracts paper claiming that group of Indigenous Americans were Black Africans
Analysis of Ivan Van Sertima's Afrocentric claims on Mesoamerica
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
RSVP for the Yazzie/Martinez Community Gathering!
Find us:
Merch: Shop Aztlantis
Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking
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