Tales From Aztlantis

Well, dear listeners, it’s that time of year again: when the mainstream media and their corporate overlords conspire to wage war on the winter holiday meant to celebrate the birth of our savior and erase our annual traditions. We are referring of course, to the birth of Witzilopochtli as our sun reborn, and the associated feast of Panketzaliztli. But fear not, dear listeners, because here in Aztla...

Nawatl Language Mistranslations! Lots of well-intentioned folks are sharing information about the Nawatl language online. Unfortunately, this information is sometimes inaccurate or even worse, completely made up! Today we are joined by Nawatl language educators Yan Garcia (author of Learn Nawatl), and Dr. Magnus Hansen (Nawatl Linguist), as we explore Nawatl language mistranslations, mispronunciat...

Dr. Andrew White joins us to talk about the consequences of shows like Ancient Apocalypse, and how pseudoarchaeology is often used to accomplish nationalist and frequently racist objectives. So join us as we take a bizarre journey through a world of neo-nazi Graham Hancock fanboys, Atlantis-pushing occultists, and anti-Indigenous propaganda! About our guest: Andrew White is anthropological archaeo...

Forging Aztecness, Danza Azteca history with Kristina Nielsen In this episode we are joined by Dr. Kristina Nielsen to discuss the history of the Danza Azteca and Mexikayotl traditions! About our guest: Kristina Nielsen received her Ph. D. in ethnomusicology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2017. Her research focuses on how music and dance in Aztec revitalization movements shape c...

Your hosts:   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 vario...

Remembering the Maya Apocalypse with Dr. John Hoopes! About our guest: Dr. John Hoopes is an anthropologist with broad training in the archaeology of pre-Hispanic indigenous cultures, with a focus on indigenous populations of southern Central America between Mesoamerica and the Central Andes. He has built a solid base of empirical, scientific evidence and robust theories to help define these as a...

In this episode we explore the origin and meaning of the word Chicano. What does it mean to be a Chicano? Do Mexican Americans who hold right-wing views get to call themselves Chicano? Join your hosts as we dig into these topics! End song: Indigena by Aztlan Underground Used with permission (Tlazkamati, Yaotl Mazahua!) https://youtu.be/DZTmWj2pQJE?si=8ZbmUSi5hTM8Dhv9 Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is...

Day of the Dead is Subversive Spirituality! Long before the arrival of Europeans, some of the Indigenous Mesoamerican traditions of honoring the dead were celebrated with two specific feasts: Mikailwitl (feast of the dead), and Wey Mikailwitl (great feast of the dead). These feasts were celebrated in early August through mid-September. In fact, we are currently in the “month” of Mikailwitl right n...

The "Indias Mexicanas" who arrived in New Mexico during early colonization brought with them traditional healing and ceremonial practices. Members of the church often accused these women of practicing "witchcraft." In this episode, we are joined by New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez to discuss the legacies of these women! Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an  archaeologist, e...

The "Indias Mexicanas" who arrived in New Mexico during early colonization brought with them traditional healing and ceremonial practices. Members of the church often accused these women of practicing "witchcraft." In this episode, we are joined by New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez to discuss the legacies of these women! Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an  archaeologist, e...

Dia de los Muertos: The Chicano Connection! Chicanos directly influenced the popularity of modern Dia de los Muertos celebrations in both the United States and Mexico. Let's find out how! Your hosts:   Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, cultural consultant, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two...

In this EXTENDED members-only episode, we are joined by Chicano author Scott Russell Duncan to talk about his new book "Old California Strikes Back" and the state of Chicano publishing! "Old California Strikes Back is a modern Ramona Diary, the record tourists kept of the sites of Old California and the book Ramona and Hollywood movies that renamed and transformed them. A mix of fan...

In this episode we are joined by Chicano author Scott Russell Duncan to talk about his new book "Old California Strikes Back" and the state of Chicano publishing! "Old California Strikes Back is a modern Ramona Diary, the record tourists kept of the sites of Old California and the book Ramona and Hollywood movies that renamed and transformed them. A mix of fantasy and memoir, the au...

Christopher Columbus & The Indians of God! It has often been claimed that Christopher Columbus did not refer to the Indigenous people of the Americas as "Indians" because he thought he landed in India, but because he thought that they were "gente in Dios," or "people in God." But is this actually true? and what is the source of this controversial claim? Your hosts...

In this interview from Kurly's first attempt at podcasting, we are joined by author and researcher Ben Radford of Skeptical Inquirer science magazine as we take a look at the Nazca Lines of Peru, the European Occultist origins of some allegedly "traditional" Maya knowledge, and the Chupacabra! Your host:  Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His resear...

Hispanic Heritage Month For this throwback episode, we shed some light on the so-called Hispanic Heritage Month which is celebrated from September 15 through October 15 in the United States. If you know nothing about how it got started and its evolution, then this episode is for you. Your host Tlakatekatl will guide you through its origins and provides much needed critical perspective on the conse...

Danzantes, Mexicanistas, and other cultural practitioners often display a banner that they claim is the "original" and "true" banner of the Mexika people. Often referred to as the Panketzalli, Bandera de Cuitlahuac, or the Bandera de Victoria, this symbol can be found emblazoned on t-shirts, flags, dance regalia, murals and tattoos. But where does this image actually come from?...

In this dispatch, Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl takes us to the De La Torre Brothers exhibit "Upward Mobility" at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas, and another art exhibit he attended on Lowriders! "The brothers use motifs from Aztec mythology, Catholic iconography, popular culture, and art history to build symbolically loaded imagery. Their mixed media works playfully incorp...

Proponents of the nepohualtzintzin hail it as a marvel of ancient Mesoamerica. Elevated as a symbol of mathematical sophistication, the device has captured the imagination of scholars and enthusiasts since the 1970s. However, a close examination of the available evidence raises questions about the nature and origin of the nepohualtzintzin. In this episode we dive into the bizarre history of the al...

We are joined By Dr. Magnus Pharao Hansen to discuss his new book "Nahuatl Nations: Language Revitalization and Semiotic Sovereignty in Indigenous Mexico." Nahuatl Nations is a linguistic ethnography that explores the political relations between those Indigenous communities of Mexico that speak the Nahuatl language and the Mexican Nation that claims it as an important national symbol. Au...

In this episode we discuss the mytho-historic concept of Aztlan, and what it means to Chicano / Chicana / Chicanx identity! 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 Univers...

On November 26, 1988, a person by the name of Ramón Tirado delivered the “Consigna del sexto sol: Segunda consigna de Anáhuac” –or the “Mandate of the Sixth Sun: Second Mandate of Anahuac”– at the Convención de Anáhuac – or the “Anahuac Convention” – which was held in Mexico City. In this Episode, we take a look at the speech and discuss it's message and significance in light of the fact that...

In this episode we take a look at recent news concerning the Chicano community, and take a little trip down to Belize with Kurly! 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...

My name is Kurly Tlapoyawa, and I LOVE movies. I spent a good chunk of my childhood being snuck into the drive-in by my parents, where I took in double and triple features of cinematic greatness. And when movies became available on home video in the 1980s, all bets were off. It’s no exaggeration to say that my life was shaped by movies. In 2004 I opened Burning Paradise Video, where I offered a ca...

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday! In this episode we take a look back at one of Kurly's favorites. Acequias - A Forgotten History! The Acequia is a communal irrigation ditch, and its continued use is a testament to the cultural resiliency of the New Mexican people. But where does this tradition come from? Sadly, most New Mexicans have a distorted understanding of Acequia history and cred...