The Mexihcah are descendants of the ancient Aztecs from the Chichimec lineage of Northern Mexico. The Mexihcah were a once proud and dominate culture during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in the region known today as the Valley of Mexico.
Their ancestors decided to migrate to the South, following Mexi, the Sun. They received a vision from Huitzilopochtli (the left hummingbird-inner will) of a majestic eagle on top of a cactus in the middle of a body of water; actually discovered after 260 years of searching in the center of Lake Texcoco. It was there that they established and founded Mexicoh -Tenochtitlan. Soon afterwards, they became known as the Mexihcahs Tenochcas.
The Mexihcahs built their great city in the middle of the lake, developing the barren but fertile land, with their advanced knowledge of engineering and architecture of efficient urban development. Tenochtitlan would become one of the world’s most magnificent cities; refined in both its society and culture. Dance, poetry and literature all flourished there, while brilliant minds and strong hands conceived and built some of the first known universities, hospitals, zoos and ecological reservations. They also had health care for all citizens, old, young and the mentally challenged. The city was both colorful and clean.
The Mexihcah, for all that they had suffered during their migration, valued people by their nobleness and human values. The Mexihcah were a people that lived for the good of all. They believed that “you are me and I am you.” The Mexhicah, were and still are unbreakable warriors, not of murderous wars but of the personal fight to improve one’s self. Like the Sun that shines after it defeats night, the Mexhicah overcome challenges every day. For this reason they are the Pueblo- People of the Sun and the Children of the Sun.
Since 1519 the Mexhicah’s history has been written by the Spanish Conquistadors - the victorious. This history has been portrayed in history books, institutions, and museums. One reason is due to the fact that it was believed that no Mexhicah’s survived to challenge the facts. All the Mexihcah libraries and universities were destroyed. Nevertheless, many Mexhicah survived the defeat. A fraction of the once thriving Mexihcah population did survive and scattered to the lands outside the cities - taking with them only that amount of their own history they could carry inside the heads and hearts. By their own estimates, over 5 million descendants of the ancient Nahoas live in the region today.
Their culture and history have survived through the centuries thanks to teachings, but most importantly because of danza, the ceremonial dance of the Mexihcah people. Simply stated, danza is the manner by which all levels of the community are reached, from its very youngest to its elders. It is a critical ingredient of every meeting and gathering, and it provides its own hierarchy within the community, establishing dignity and respect.
They continue to embrace the traditions and culture passed along to them – by word of mouth – from their ancestors. Theirs is the true story of a proud and once highly developed people and their continuing efforts to thrive – despite the prejudice and challenges of a modern world.