13 is an important number in
The grand capital,
There are 13 heavens in Mesoamerican cosmology. 13 day signs in the Tzolkin[1] calendar.
Later that evening I was one of 13 danzantes[2] forming a circle of dance, pounding the earth with prayer. It was my first circle. I struggled to follow jumping feet moving in time with huehue, grandfather drum, fire of life. It was a special circle for the Calpulli[3] as the initiation of an all night ceremony.
Each dancer was caretaker and representative of an element: fire, earth, water, air. I observed as the Calpulli placed their respective elements, las armas de luz[4], onto the altar at the center of the circle. Objects of ritual, ceramica[5], maíz[6],
After 5 rounds of dance, we began to prepare for the all night velación[8]. It was the first velación of the Calpulli, and as part of tradition was meant to strengthen the group. It was also in preparation for a larger ceremony that will take place on
We moved from the plaza to a shaded area, dismantling and carefully reconstructing the altar. The 4 directions and the center were marked. 13 small candles were lit. And a circle of herbs and flowers were laid around us, as form of protection.
The leader of the Calpulli directed us in song and prayer through the remaining hours until dawn. The candles and the fire of the copalera[9] were kept lit throughout the night.
We celebrated the coming of dawn, and the end of the long night with more offerings to the land and the guardians. Again, we dismantled the altar and carried our belongings back to the plaza. There we resurrected the altar in form of a circle, representing the ombligo[10], the center.
We danced another 5 rounds as the sun rose overhead. We were exhausted and yet strengthened from the night together and we danced enthusiastically.
It was an amazing night and welcoming. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera or voice recorder with me, but I do hope to return for the ceremony on November 7th and capture sound and imagery.
