Broke the Fast

Photo from newmexicohistory.org

So I broke the fast a bit early, but for good reason-a fiesta burger.  It was not really about the burger because well, it was cheap and greasy with loads of processed ingredients. But in addition to the refined ingredients was the camaraderie, ceremony, long lines, music, smiling children, old folks, and dancing in a small town looking forward to this event for an entire year.  This event has been going on in the small town of Bernalillo for centuries.  It is the feast of San Lorenzo, the patron saint of the town. 

The most noteworthy of this ceremony are the Danzas de Matachines.  I am not going to say because it is beautiful and so cultural blah, blah, blah although their costumes are very ornate and the ceremony itself is something to see. Its meaning is multilayered with humble pride, strong faith, protection, honor and a representation of deep hurts, rivalry and war between Christians and Moors, Spanish and Native Peoples, urban sprawl and rural community. 

The dance itself originated during the wars between the Moors and Christians as the Christians prevailing over the devilish Moors.  The Spanish brought it to the Americas and it has changed over time taking on Roman Catholic overtones honoring La Virgen or a Santo.  However, what is especially a dramatic twist in the Danza de Matachines de Bernalillo.  A character, la Malinche, a Mayan native young lady captures the heart of Cortez, the conquistador, so there is a marrying of cultures and a succumbing to Christianity by the Natives, represented by the conquering of the bull (horns, comedian, devil).  Throughout the dance, the bull is whipped and guns are fired.  Residents of Bernalillo, process to the santuario with the Santo, usually in the home of a resident for an entire year.

Photo from newmexicohistory.org

If you look deep enough, you see hundreds of years of history unravel that is a stronghold in this small community.  It bypasses the lure of the city and tells a story of pride and submission.  This short weekend represents faith, conquering, oppression, and centuries of change, progress, healing, and hurt.  I ingested it, in a fiesta burger with chile nestled inside two greasy toasty corn tortillas prepared by a family making a little extra money.   I enjoyed every morsel.

More spirituality on Sunday marking a quinceñeara for a powerful child, the child of my professor, Milagro.  It was a celebration of life for a young lady and her parents who have thoroughly cared for their child who suffered a brain injury at birth and is now medically fragile.  It was a beautiful celebration with a mass of great energy by Brother Olivas and everyone who performed through love.  It was an honor to share this event with two parents who do whatever it takes to keep their child alive, enriched and educated despite her abilities.  Milagro has marked her place on Earth as her mother lives through her and channels Milagro’s spirit into all that she does.  As a student, Milagro is profound in my success and it was an honor to celebrate this day with her and her family.

Again we ate and shared company and I went home with this idea… A great country is not defined by their built progress, medical technology, and citadels of education, but how they treat their people with disabilities.- Linda Pedro from Chimayo, NM.