Read more about the article The Indigenous Caxcan of Central Mexico

The Indigenous Caxcan of Central Mexico

 

“Indio Chichimeco” taken from an adult baptism record in Aguascalientes

Indigenous Caxcan/Chichimeca reenactment with Brenda Ruiz, indigenous activist of Caxcan ancestry.
From the Valle of Huejucar (Valley of the Willows, now Calvillo, Aguascalientes) in central Mexico, I’ve been trying to trace back more and more of my indigenous ancestors from that area of land that was once occupied by the Chichimeca Caxcans. Indigenous families from the region tended to jump around area to area. Many became incorporated into the general growing mestizo (or mixed Spaniard and indigenous) culture that would become the Mexico we know of today. 

Many came to these newly towns in search of a new life. In many cases, and what I’ve read from early documents, many were ex-hacienda slaves, indigenous or Spaniards, trying to create a better life for themselves and many began intermarrying. Most African-Mexican roots from this region are almost non-existent as they were culturally incorporated, yet their blood still continues on within all of us to some degree (accounting an average of 5-8% West African DNA).

Likewise, with the Caxcan, the indigenous people who once called these lands home. Though their language is no more, many clues left behind suggest they used a variant of Uto-Aztecan language which spans as far north as California and was the basis for the Aztec (Nahuatl) language. Though there is little evidence to support the Caxcans were present within this valley around 1776 (when the village was established), they are, however, clear indications that they were there at different periods prior…and their descendants from the principle valley down below Aguascalientes did migrate to this region. The valley of Huejucar connects into the Valley of Juchipila (or Canyon of Juchipila in present day Zacatecas), which historically served as a very important strategic area during the conquest of Mexico. 

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Read more about the article The Do’s and Don’ts of Filming in the Amazon Jungle

The Do’s and Don’ts of Filming in the Amazon Jungle

New experiences don’t always need to be scary and unpredictable. Life is about enjoying the adventure. You can only preplan so much in advance, the rest is up to us and how we approach the situation. By expecting the unexpected we can then take the first step in actually enjoying the journey of life, wherever that may take us. The best adventures are when things are going unexpectedly and in the end we can sit around and have a good laugh about it.

 This past October I had the most wonderful opportunity to go film again in the Amazon jungles of Peru. Though I had traveled to this region twice before, this was the first time I headed deep into the heart of the Intangible Zone of Manu National Park. On average only around 30-40 outsiders (researchers and medical personnel) are given permission to enter this protected area each year. This amazing opportunity was made possible by Rainforest Flow, a nonprofit who helps create self-sustainable clean water treatment facilities for indigenous villages within this region. I would be following alongside founder Nancy Santullo and anthropologist Glenn Shepard to help document their efforts. I wanted to help tell their story and visually bring to life the extent of their massive strides to make these projects happen. Bringing clean water to these communities is just the first step, as they are currently in the early stages of expanding to incorporate W.A.S.H. (water, sanitation and hygiene) programs and trainings in order to help bring sustainable economic opportunities.

The purpose of this article is for anyone is considering filming in the tropics or any other humid or harsh environment. These are just a few valuable lessons learned should you ever find yourself on the other side of the lens.

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