Albuquerque Gathering of Matachines 2008 Photo Gallery by Ann Murdy at pbase.com

Albuquerque Gathering of Matachines 2008

On May 16th and 17th New Mexico Arts, a division of New Mexico's Department of Cultural Affairs sponsored the first Gathering of Matachines at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. This historic event was organized by Claude Stephenson, the New Mexico state folklorist. Dr. Stephenson brought together Matachine groups from throughout the Southwest. The groups that particpated were the Raramuri from the Sierra Madre in Mexico, the Yaqui from Tucson, Arizona and from New Mexico the groups were from Alcalde, Bernalillo, Cochiti, Jemez, Picuris, Tijeras and Tortugas. The Matachine dance is a sacred dance which is usually performed in December for Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Christmas season or feast days. The participants in this dance are the danzantes (the dancers), the Monarca (the leader of the danzantes), the Malinche (a young girl dressed in white), the Abuela (the grandmother, usually a man dressed as a woman), the abuelo (the grandfather who gives orders) and a Toro (a young boy dressed as a bull). The music for the dancers is made up of violins and guitars.

pages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ALL

Jemez Matachines	Jemez Monarca with palma	Jemez Malinche dancing around danzantes	Jemez Abuelo
Abuelo and Monarca from Jemez	Jemez Malinche with rattle	Jemez Malinche and Monarca	Jemez danzantes with palmas
Jemez danzantes kneeling	Jemez group dancing	Hands holding palmas Jemez	Jemez Malinche
Abuelo and Malinche from Jemez	Jemez Monarca jumping	Danzantes from Jemez kneeling	Danzante from Jemez
Abuelo y Monarca de Jemez	Jemez Monarca with Danzantes	Monarca and Abuelo from Jemez	Jemez Malinche and Danzantes
Tortugas danzante kneeling before altar	Malinche from Tortugas	Tortugas Malinche	Miguel and Dario from Tortugas
Tortugas scarf dance	Detail scarf dance - Tortugas	Polainas and Satin Ribbons	Danzantes from Tortugas
Monarca from Tortugas	Tortugas Malinche dancing	Tortugas Monarca	Tortugas Malinche dancing
Tortugas Malinche and Monarca	Tortugas danzantes	Tortugas danzante with guaje	Malinche from Tortugas dancing
Malinche y Monarca de Tortugas	Color swirl	Monarca of Tijeras	Back of Danzante from Tijeras
Monarca of Tijeras	Kneeling at Crucifix - Tijeras	Group of danzantes from Tijeras	Tijeras matachines
Tijeras Danzantes approaching altar	Tijeras line up	Tijeras Monarca at altar	Scarves blowing - Tijeras
Abuela and Abuelo from Tijeras	Musician from Tijeras	Movement along line Tijeras	Malinche and Monarca Tijeras
Raramuri Monarca	Female Raramuri dancer	Raramuri dancer with rattle	Raramuri father and son
Raramuri dancer	Feet of Raramuri monarca	Raramuri dancer in red cape	Back of Raramuri dancer
Back of dancers from Cochiti	Dancers feet Cochiti	Group from Cochiti	Matachines from Cochiti
Alcalde Monarca	Alcalde danzante with rattle	Alcalde Abuelo	Boy from Alcalde dressed as bull
Alcalde danzante	Malinche from Alcalde	Alcalde danzante with palma	Danzante from Alcalde
Alcalde Matachine dance	Alcalde Malinche with palma	Danzante from Alcalde with palma	Back of Alcalde Danzante
Back of Bernalillo Danzante	Bernalillo matachine group	Bernalillo Monarca and Malinche	Bernalillo Monarca
Bernalillo line-up	Toro toro toro	Bernalillo Abuelo	Back of Danzante from Bernalillo
Bernalillo danzante and Monarca	Bernalillo Monarca and Maliinche	Bernalillo turn around	Bernalillo bull
Bernalillo Monarca and danzantes	Backs of Danzantes from Bernalillo	Detail of palma	Altar

pages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ALL

comment |

Martha V. Cantu		28-Apr-2011 23:36
When is the next Gathering of Matachines in Alburquerque or anywhere else for that matter.? I was blessed to see the Jemez Pueblo Matachines Dance last year on Sept. 12, it was beautiful, but was told by a Taos hispanic of a more spectacular gathering in Alburqueque. Any info would be much appreciated. Thank you, Martha Cantu

Guest		27-Dec-2010 17:47
Enjoying the Raramuri pics. I reside near Copper Canyon now so will be visiting them someday. I wrote a book about the Alcalde Matachines, from 1999.

Dario		19-Jun-2008 16:33
Ann, You captured the essence of the day. I love the pictures of the Malinches. Very personal. The Tortugas malinche and monarca pic is a Grandfather-Grand Daughter combo. The generations continue to pray for the community and the world. Thanks for sharing your gift to all. Dario Tortugas Danzante

Sheila Rose		14-Jun-2008 02:57
Ann,You make me feel like I am on your journey with you. Wish that was true. Wonderful photo's as usual.Thanks for including me in your grateful fans.

Guest		04-Jun-2008 13:41
Hi Ann: What a great event. Once again your photographs are fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing these with all of us who weren't there.

Eleni Cahn		03-Jun-2008 23:20
Ann, as usual your photo's convey the feeling of the event. What a wonderful state we live in, so diverse and rich in ritual and custom. I particularly liked the Raramuri dancers. Thanks again for including me in your fan club.

Joyce Ice		03-Jun-2008 00:19
The photos are terrific--one type of dance with so many variations. You have created a visual comparison of the costumes and movements that distinguish one group from another. Joyce Ice

marga shubart		02-Jun-2008 15:43
Ann - GREAT photos - next best to being there!!

Sharon Doyle		02-Jun-2008 06:52
Well Ann, just when I think you can't do anything else you surprise with new and exciting photos of new and exciting events. I love the photo of the monarcha's feet. I can almost see her dancing! Thanks again for a vicarious view of a marvelous event.

Guest		02-Jun-2008 04:02
Thanks, Ann, for posting these. A friend from my spanish class brought the brochure and the event looked spectacular. Your photos, as usual, are amazing and beautiful.

click on thumbnails for full image

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment