Tales From Aztlantis

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...

How old is the word Chicana? The origin and antiquity of the words “Chicana” and “Chicano” has been debated from the halls of academia to the streets of the barrio. The advent of social media has certainly added fuel to the fire, but nobody seems to have a clear answer. Some claim that the word comes from “chicanery,” and is reflective of the untrustworthy nature of the people it describes. Others...

Moors Rising? (sample) In this episode, we take a look at a recent segment by Vice News that examines the "Moorish Aboriginal" movement, and talk about the continued assault on Indigenous Sovereignty that it represents. Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, cultural consultant, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the hist...

Representation matters! In this episode we are joined by Chicano animator Miguel Puga to talk about Chicanos in animation, and the importance of telling our own stories.  Miguel Puga is a storyboard supervisor, director, and creative producer on The Casagrandes. He previously served as a storyboard supervisor on The Loud House, and was also a storyboard artist on Breadwinners, Shimmer and Shine, a...

In this episode, we check out a Tedx given in 2021 by Archaeologist Sarah Kurnick in which she talks about the dangers of pseudoarchaeology. 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 regions. He is the author of numerous books and has pr...

Aztecs at the Powwow! In this episode, we explore Danza Azteca at Powwow events, where such performances are usually relegated to the intermission. Our hosts discuss the efforts of the Sacred Springs Powwow in San Marcos, Texas, which has included Danza Azteca in the competitive dance categories, and what this inclusion means for inter-Indigenous relations. Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archae...

Here Comes the Rain Again! In this brief dispatch, Kurly talks about the common mistranslation of the word "Tlalok." More information on Tlalok (as well as the image of Tlalok on his mountain top throne) can be found here: https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/gods/god-of-the-month-tlaloc-1 Your host: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers M...

(Re)imagining Indigenous Psychology with Dr. Azucena Verdin! In this episode we are joined by Dr. Azucena Verdín to discuss her work in Educational Psychology and the ways it intersects with Indigenous Chicano ways of knowing. We talk about her experience as a Chicana working in a field dominated by white academics and share a few thoughts on the recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas. About our guest: S...

Azteca or Mexica? For this episode, I will be drawing heavily from the article “ the word Azteca was not created by Von Humboldt ” written by Ruben Ochoa, which originally appeared on the website Mexika.org. Whenever some well-meaning individual posts a link to an article about any aspect of Aztec history to social media, they are inevitably met with a barrage of comments that usually sound someth...

Moorish Nationals and Indigenous Erasure! (sample)  In this episode, we explore the "Moor" identity movement, it's history, and how it is actively weaponizing pseudohistory in order to erase the accomplishments of Indigenous and African people. Also, Kurly learns about ad blockers. So strap yourselves in, because its a bumpy ride!  listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Buzzs...

STOP erasing Chicanos and Mexican Americans! In this brief Dispatch from Aztlantis, your host Kurly Tlapoyawa talks about how "latino" is used in mainstream media to actively ERASE our people! Cited in this episode: https://www.minoritynewsnetwork.com/2022/04/28/where-are-the-chicano-intellectuals/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/political-cartoonist-lalo-alcaraz-becomes-first-latino...

Cinco de Mayo! For today's episode, we wanted to revisit one of our earlier episodes from the first season. Every year we see the return of hateful, anti-Mexican comments made in response to Cinco de Mayo, so we thought that it would be a topic worth coming back to. Enjoy! On a dark, rainy Monday afternoon on May 5th, 1862, Mexican soldiers led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, and bolstered by In...

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 credit its creation solely to Moors and Spaniards. In this episode we dig a little deeper, and explore the Mesoam...

Premium Episode 5 (sample) This is a short sample from Premium Episode 5, where we talk about our recent trip to Texas and play a little "Meme Roulette." Become a patreon supporter today to get access to our entire library of full-length premium episodes, plus bonus video content! Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamer...

Aztlan Libre Press with Juan Tejeda In this episode we are joined by Juan Tejeda, co-owner and publisher of Aztlan Libre Press. Aztlan Libre Press is an independent publishing company based out of Yanawana/San Antonio, Texas that is dedicated to the publication, promotion and free expression of XicanX literature and art. Established in 2009 by Juan Tejeda and Anisa Onofre, Aztlan Libre Press has p...

Defending the Ancestors with Dr. Mario Garza! A week ago, your hosts embarked on a trip to Central Texas to assist in the important work of repatriating ancestors and to conduct several interviews. In this special FREE Premium Episode, we are joined by Coahuiltecan elder Dr. Mario Garza to discuss Indigenous identity, Coahuiltecan history, and the vital importance of repatriation work. Dr. Mario G...

The Immaculate Deception Part 2! On part two of our "Immaculate Deception" series,  we delve into the invention of Guadalupe as a Mexican tradition, and discuss the various ways in which the image has been conflated with Mesoamerican mother teteoh. Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and...

The Immaculate Deception Part 1 When Spanish forces under the command of Hernando Cortes first set foot on the eastern coast of Mexico on April 22, 1519, they christened the site of their landing Veracruz, “the true cross.”. Within five years of Cortes’ arrival, a group of Franciscan missionaries arrived in Mexico, tasked with converting the previously unknown indigenous people to Christianity. Th...

Peopling the Americas with Dr. Jennifer Raff! Today we are joined by geneticist Dr. Jennifer Raff to talk about genetic research, what it can tell us about the peopling of the Americas, and how it can be misused by pseudohistorians and psudoarchaeologists to promote dangerous misinterpretations of the past! About our guest: Jennifer Raff is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Affiliate Facu...

The Mexika Calendar with Ruben Ochoa (Full Episode!) Premium Episodes are normally reserved for our amazing Patreon supporters, but this episode is too important to keep from the masses! In this episode, Kurly is joined by Ruben Ochoa to talk about the Mexika calendar system and the upcoming year 10 Tochtli. Order your calendar here listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Lignum is a haven f...

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...

Cesar Chavez & the Cult of Synanon (sample) Synanon was a drug rehabilitation program that morphed into a violent cult (and tax exempt church!) in the 1970s. Much of the violence by Synanon had been carried out by a group within Synanon called the "Imperial Marines". Over 80 violent acts were committed, including mass beatings that hospitalized teenagers and ranchers who were beaten...

Learning Nawatl with Yan Garcia In this episode, Kurly is joined by Nawatl (Nahuatl) language educator Yan Garcia. Yan is the author of the book "Learn Nahuatl: Language of the Aztecs and Modern Nahuas" and a founding member of the organization Tlahtoltapazolli. Yan discusses how he got into Nawatl language education, the need for language preservation and revitalization, and how the Chi...

Atlantis and Graham Hancock (sample)  It's movie night at the Tales From Aztlantis world headquarters! In our very first premium episode, your hosts sit down to watch the BBC documentary "Aztlantis Reborn" featuring crackpot writer and pseudo-historian extraordinaire Graham Hancock. What will our intrepid heroes make of his bizarre claims? Listen and find out!  listener comments? Fe...

The Four Disagreements And we are BACK, cabrones! Welcome to Season 2 of the Tales From Aztlantis podcast. In this episode, we explore the need for critical thinking and scientific literacy within the Danza/Mexikayotl community, and offer a simple checklist to help you weed out pseudo history and misinformation! Your Hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His re...