DANCES OF CONQUEST

In the religious festivities of the States of Guanajuato, Querétaro, Mexico, Morelos, Puebla and in Mexico City itself, it is common to observe the presence of dancers, who dance in a circle in the atrium of the churches as a tribute to the patron image. These groups are known by different names: “conquest dancers”, “Aztec or Chichimeca dance corporations”, or simply “concheros”. Each of these names has its reason for being.

Musical instruments are so important because although the purposes of the organization are religious, all of its ritual is musical. Thus, musical training is essential in this religious organization. Learning sometimes starts from childhood. The result is a high level of music that is shared by possibly 40,000 people, some 5,000 of them in Mexico City.

The grouping of the material that we present has been based on what has been briefly described:

SIDE 1

THE MUSIC

• A1 The Passion (Call of Souls)
  Performer(s): Pedro Matus, mandolin, Ernesto Ortiz, shell.
• A2 The walker (Sound of dance)
  Performer(s): Pedro Matus and Ernesto Ortiz, mandolins; Andrés Segura, Dolores Ortiz, Guadalupe Torres and Belén Rodríguez, shells; Ortiz brothers, Huehuetl and Teponastle.
• A3 The xipi (Son)
  Performer(s): Pedro Matus and Ernesto Ortiz, mandolins; Andrés Segura, Dolores Ortiz, Guadalupe Torres and Belén Rodríguez, shells; Ortiz brothers, Huehuetl and Teponastle.

THE SINGING

• A4 Good night, sir captain, greeting song (Song)
  Leaders: Ernesto Ortiz and María T. de Ortiz.
• A5 Holy God, delivery of the incense (ceremonial song)
  Leaders: Ernesto Ortiz and María T. de Ortiz.
• A6 Long live Mr. Santiago (Song of ceremony)
  Leaders: Ernesto Ortiz and María T. de Ortiz.

SIDE 2

• B1 But oh, Jesus (Praise)
  Leader: Andres Segura.
• B2 Eastern Star (Praise)
  Leader: Andrés Segura and Ernesto Ortiz.

DANCE

• B3 Holy Heart (Dance)
  Performer(s): Pedro Matus and Ernesto Ortiz, mandolins; Belén Rodríguez (leader), Andrés Segura, Dolores Ortiz and Guadalupe Torres, shells and dance; Ortiz brothers, Huehuetl and Teponaztle.
• B4 The Dove (Dance)
  Performer(s): Pedro Matus and Ernesto Ortiz, mandolins; Guadalupe Torres (leader), Andrés Segura, Dolores Ortiz and Belén Rodríguez, shells and dance; Ortiz brothers, Huehuetl and Teponaztle.
• B5 Party in Anenecuilco, Morelos (Dance)
  Performer(s): “Aztec Dance Corporation of Casasano, Morelos”, with members of the “Aztec Dance Corporation of the Great Tenochtitlán” who attended the party as guests.