Carrying the Word: The Concheros Dance in Mexico City

Glossary

267 Agradecimiento. Prayer of thanks. Alabanza. The term used for the Concheros’ songs of praise (from the Spanish alabar, “to praise, to commend”). Anahuac. The name of the place to the northwest of Mexico City from which the founders of Tenochtitlan are said to have come. Anciano. Man of knowledge (literally, “old man”). Anima. Spirit, soul. Animas conquistadores de los cuatro vientos. The conquering spirits of the four winds. Antepasados. Those who came before; ancestors. Artesanias. Handicrafts. Aztec. The term used to refer to the inhabitants of Tenochtitlan and its territories at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Aztecquismo. Aztecism. Banqueta. Sidewalk; pavement. GLOSSARY G L O S S A R Y 268 Banqueteros. People of the pavement (i.e., city dwellers). Brujo. A man of power or a sorcerer. Cabeceras. The two large candles placed on either side of the altar during a vigil. Calzones. Simple peasant trousers made from manta. Campesino. One who works in the fields (campo). Cargo. A position or responsibility. Chichimeca. The name given, usually with pejorative connotations, to those indigenous groups who lived in the northern expanses of what is today Mexico. Chimaleros. The name given to dancers who perform primarily to raise money, which they collect on their shields. Chitontiquiza. The term used by the Mexica for Aztec dance. Codices. The records produced shortly after the Spanish Conquest by the various religious orders in Mexico. Comadre/compadre. Usually glossed as “godmother/godfather” but can be used to indicate benefaction, respect, and friendship between a jefe and a group or between dancers. Comida corrida. The main meal in Mexico, which is usually eaten at 2:00 PM. Compañero/a. The term usually used for a common-law wife or husband (literally, “companion”). Conformidad. One of the Concheros leitmotifs (literally, “conformity”), but also a term used for the Concheros’ association. Congregación. An alternative name for the association or a part thereof. Conquista. One of the Concheros’ leitmotifs (literally, “conquest”). Consejo de Ancianos. Council of Elders. Consigna. Order or instruction. Criollo. One of unmixed Spanish blood (as opposed to a mestizo). G L O S S A R Y 269 Cuartel general. Headquarters. Cuauhtémoc. The name of the last Aztec tlatoani (emperor), who was killed by the Spaniards. Cuenta. A term used to describe the state of events usually during a vigil (literally, “account” but better glossed as “account of” or “state of”). Cuitlahuac. Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Curandero. Curer; often a person of indigenous descent or with indigenous or folk knowledge. Delegación. A large-scale administrative area within Mexico City. D.F. Distrito Federal; the Federal District of Mexico City. Ensayo. Rehearsal. Fieles. Of the faith, usually used of Roman Catholics. Flor. In reference to the Concheros’ dance, the various phrases that are enacted after each repetition of the core phrase (planta). Forms/formas. The term used by Conchero mesas specifically for their dances and sometimes for the various related practices. Gauchupine. A pejorative term for the Spaniards used in Mexico. Gente humilde. The phrase used for those of humble (i.e., lower class or peasant) origins. Granicero. One who is believed to be able to control the weather and also to heal (literally, “rain/hail maker”). Guerras floridas. The so-called wars without conflict “fought” between Tenochtitlan and its neighboring enemies to take victims for sacrifice. Huaraches. Typical Mexican sandals with soles usually made from old car tires. Huipil. The name given throughout Mexico for an indigenous woman’s handwoven blouse. Huitzilopochtli. The supreme deity of the Aztecs who, if the sun was to rise, had to be placated by daily human sacrifices. Indigene. A person of indigenous or native descent. G L O S S A R Y 270 INI. Instituto Nacional Indigenista (National Indigenist Institute) In xochi, in cuicatl. A Nahuatl phrase used as a metaphor by the Aztecs for the three closely linked practices of singing, playing music, and dancing (literally, “the flower, the song”). Izcoahuecatl. The red headband worn by the Mexica and, in particular, the Reginas (the followers of Antonio Velasco Piña). Jefe. Leader or head of a mesa. Kalpulli (pl. kalpultin). The Nahuatl term for a small self-governing group or community of Aztecs. Maguey. A cactus whose fruit is used to produce pulque. Mando. Leadership in the sense of caring for. Manta. Unbleached woven cotton that whitens and softens as it is washed. MCR(C...