Abstract

HEMOND, Aline. From virtual to empowerment ? Age class, body and addiction in the ritual dances of Cotlatlaztin in Mexico. Trace (Méx. DF) [online]. 2023, n.83, pp.81-112.  Epub Dec 11, 2023. ISSN 2007-2392.  https://doi.org/10.22134/trace.83.2023.861.

In this paper, we will examine the ethnographic example of the Cotlatlaztin, nahuaphon ritual antipodists called «winds-men». These dancers acting as auxiliaries in the request rain May ceremonies in southwestern Mexico. The aim is to analyse the individual exercise praxis which forging their bodies’ endurance and build masculinity within this group of adult young age. This practice is associated to a mythical and ideological narrative developed within the «dance group» and establishes them as village’s protectors. We will be interested in their official role -dressing the village crosses, but also to personifying winds and calling for rain- as well as their occult aspect, through their night-time running practice. Running emerged as a self-transformation mechanism and as a therapeutic process against addictions (alcohol or psychotropic drugs). These ritualized Cotlatlaztin practices constitute a dual action register around the actualisation and transformation processes (biological as well to oneself ), which will be questioned with the analysis of «virtual» and «empowerment» categories.

Keywords : ritual dance; antipodalism; Cotlatlaztin; Nahuas; empowerment.

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