the-news

The yoreme

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:15:32 +0100

Deer dance

The Yoreme represent an important group of indigenous people in northern Sinaloa. They are a hard-working people who are proud of their traditions. Dance and music are part of these traditions, whose meaning pays homage to nature. In the Deer Dance, this animal can be seen as graceful and evasive, and one that ends up being sacrificed by man. The dance tells the story of this sacrifice, and the music is a song to the world that surrounds it.
The grace and elasticity of the dancer’s movements, making him seem like a deer prancing through the woods, are what characterize this dance. The dancer moves to the rhythm of the “deer singers” - the musicians who have composed a specific song and now play the traditional instruments and sing.
This dance is a favorite. Traditionally it had been reserved for men, but now children and women also perform this dance.
The life and death of the deer, represents a sacred ritual for these indigenous peoples; they act it out in a religious ceremony with the aim of appeasing God, in addition to being a ceremony to ensure a good hunt.

Participants in the contest of deer dancing that took
place in Mochicahui, on the 22nd of November.
Villagers from different communities signed up.

The Dance begins with the sound of a reed flute and a drum with the deer appearing seconds later accompanied by the sound of its rattles; the dancer displays movements imitating those of a deer. The hunt begins, where the deer ends up being hurt by an arrow accompanied by the sound of a drum representing the beats of the Deer’s heart; thus the fight against death begins, until in the end he becomes totally still. Meanwhile, around him can be heard the sound of the instruments together with the singing, and the other dancer (the hunter) with blood on his hands, turns into the spirit of the Deer, interpreting his steps and movements.
The dancer’s wardrobe consists of a white head covering with a deer head mounted on top, adorned with ribbons; a loin cloth or wrap-around shorts covering front and back held up by a “grijuútiam,” a belt made of deer hooves; tied around his calves are tenevoim – strings of dried cocoons filled with tiny stones that make a unique sound a he dances barefoot, and in his hands he carries gourd rattles with which he keeps the beat.
The dance’s music is made up of the sounds made as “The Deer” dances and instruments such as: the flute, water drum, scraper, and primitive songs sung in the Yaqui language and played by the accompaniment.
The flute and the drum are played simultaneously by one individual, the water gourd consists of a semi-spherical jug that is placed top down upon a surface of water contained in a clay pot measuring about 50 centimeters in diameter and that is embedded in the ground; the scraper is made of a strip of Brazilian wood, 60 centimeters long by 2 cms. wide, and with a series of ridges along its length that produce a sound similar to that of the guiro when scraped; the musicians who play the scraper also sing during the dance.

Winner.

Revolutionary women in Mexico

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:08:39 +0100

   Cavalry Coronel Valentina V. Ramirez

                                                               By Peggy Bonilla

Liberal and revolutionary, Valentina fought in armed battles with the same or even greater fervor and courage than the intellectuals leading the revolutionary movement of 1910. And thus, like most other myths, it would seem that all historians know something though none possesses the exact truth, because that, abstract to the end, doesn’t belong to anybody. So it is up to the thoughtful reader to discern and judge as true or not, the existence of certain renowned people and facts.
I must admit and state here that during my research I found three women who claimed to be the real revolutionary Valentina, but we have to believe the army – they have her record of service in the Mexican Army and Air Force Museum. She is Maria Valentina de Jesus Ramirez Avitia. What is certain, is that she participated in at least 20 battles, for example in the Bloody Taking of Topia, Durango that lasted 3 days and nights, the battle of Culiacan and Mazatlan, Sinaloa, where under the direction of Ramon F. Iturbe, she marched in dressed as a man and armed to the hilt.
It would seem that the women of the revolution were all of the same mold, with the same profile, and identical courage depicted in their struggles with the Federal army, or with any of the factions they came upon. Adelitas, Valentinas, Juanas Gallo, Chamuscadas, Rieleras and others.
In the seventies, I found “La Valentina” during one of my trips, she too was touring the same route and got off of the bus we were traveling on before I did; she lived in Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California. She was an old woman dressed in an army uniform, with the insignia on her hat indicating her rank. Three stars. Cavalry Coronel. Veteranship received in 1962, proven and signed by Bellow revolutionary Ramon F. Iturbe.
It would seem that I had forgotten all about it over the years until one day I came across a photo and a newspaper story that said that she was turning 103 years old and they had honored the famous Valentina on several occasions. She has a tender, sad, tired look, but with a magnetism that doesn’t let you look away from her face. Those who have dealt with her used to say that she carried herself like a man. To tell the truth, more like a military person. She lived a long life; nomad that she was, death had a hard time finding her to take her away. Being a revolutionary, she displayed her battle wounds proudly. She’d tell her caretakers: give me a pill for the gunshot in my ribs, for the one in my shoulder, the one in my leg, etc. She died at the age of 113 in a hospital in Brawley, California where she had been confined for the last five years of her life. She asked to be cremated, and her remains, just as she wished, were scattered into the blue sea of San Felipe, Baja California. Why not try to spread the word about the life and works of powerful women, who decided to get out of the kitchen and show talent in service to the common good. They show political sensibility. Dreaming of a better place to live. That is what Mexican Revolutionary Women are all about.





                          The Adelitas
For many Adelita, is woman who stands out among the revolutionary forces in Mexico back in 1910. She is merely a nonexistent character, again though, some say that most women really did exist and was an icon of female Mexican Revolution.
She joined the troops of Francisco Villa, and was also known as Marieta, though many think the Adelita and Marietta were the same woman. Finally was shot by Pascual Orozco.
In current times the nickname "Adelita" are attributed to women entering the armed struggle. However the more time has to return this legend since everything is poured in terms of this character can never be proven, merely survive the hypothesis.

On women in the revolution

People at El fuerte celebrate

By turning the page

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:10:34 +0100

Los Mochis, 15th, sept.-The Book Fair began yesterday and made people to go out and check on titles at the Plaza 27 de septiembre.
Government officials and schools organize this event every year to encourage people to buy books.
The number of Mexicans who read is very low due to illiteracy. One out of every ten Mexicans can not read or write. In total, 32.5 million Mexicans are in educational backwardness, which is equivalent to not completing basic education.
Low income also among population and the high prices on books stands make people stay away from reading. The network, or simply watching television has become an alternative.
This fair focus on literature for children. Most stalls offer a wide variety of titles and authors. Writers also come in direct contact with the public and read their stories. Authors list include Elmer Mendoza, Alfonso Orejel, Pepe Veloz and Elvia Perez, among others.
This event commemorates the birth of Edgar Alan Poe, one of the most significant writers in the western world.
Author´s award ceremony is due to take place as well as musical bands performances.

Mayor goes for tourism

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:59:24 +0100

El fuerte.- Mayor Victor Sarmiento said the main activity in the city is tourism and that his administration will try to maintain good quality services to keep the title of "magical town".

The state government built a new road connecting to Los Mochis. But it made a flight of over 200 meters in poor conditions. In this regard, Sarmiento called State's authorities to complete the job.

He said his administration has the services needed to meet tourism in a satisfactory way.

Víctor Sarmiento.

Bureau of health takes the streets

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:38:49 +0100

El fuerte.- Personel at the department of health -Imss- and local authorities paraded across the city today in celebration of 33 clinic's anniversary.
This hospital serves approximately 12 communities located around the city.
It is open Monday through Friday.
For emergencies call 115

Nurses and doctors parade.

Fractals of Cerro de la máscara

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:51:30 +0100

Author Ernesto Guerra and Simón Varela at the cultural Center.

Los Mochis.- Some 300 rocks scattered on the slopes of El cerro de la máscara have led researchers to establish their own theories about what might have happened in that place a thousand years ago.
Mathematical researcher, Ernesto Guerra presented his book, Fractals of the Cerro de la máscara, which is basically an examination of petroglyphs at El fuerte.
Reseachers found a remarkable artistic quality and a way of seeing the world from a fragmented conception of nature and the cosmos.

It is believed that these designs were part of the decorations of a majestic ceremonial center. The forms have called the attention of scholars who affirm that they obey to different laws of geometry. Some, like the spirals, show growth in a small space and are similar to snails, the nebulae and galaxies and atmospheric ring circumferences.
The thoroughness with which the artists represented their universe is embodied in these rocks. About its history and details of his life and death there are still many questions.
This presentation took place in the Cultural Center, this week, and it was organized by the Commision of History and Culture.
The book is available for sale. You can ask to
drguerragarcia@gmail.com

Patroglifos

Scholars set up altars to the dead

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:50:39 +0100

Los Mochis.- Students installed altars this evening to commemorate the death of revolutionary leaders. One of the most known is Pancho villa
Scholars named after him details of his biography, his adventures and achivements. They also set, by the side, food and drinks that Villa may have liked.

One of the most impressive towns is Mixquic and it's large grave yard, full of colours. Nothing can be more alive today than this place, where music, theatre and parties will be along with prayers and sorrows. See this documentary.

Video

For more information on the Day of the Dead

Tradicional dancers took part in the event at the Casa de la Cultura.