Atltzatzilistli/Praying for Water
(2003, 18 min.) MEXICO
Director: José Luis Matías (Nahua)
Produced by: Altepetl Nahuas de Guerrero In Nahuatl with English subtitles.
In the Nahua community of Acatlán, Guerrero, the people
ask for rain for the yearly harvest. Opening with prayers strengthened
by the sacrifice of chickens, the ritual performance includes
"tiger fights," masked boxing matches, Tlacololeros
who imitate thunder and lightning, and Cotlatlastin who
invoke the wind and water-laden clouds.
Image credit: Audience at Club Red Radio,
2000 Native American Film and Video Festival - photograph by Amalia Córdova,
NMAI
