Tales From Aztlantis

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Remembering the Maya Apocalypse with Dr. John Hoopes! About our guest: Dr. John Hoopes is an anthropologist with broad training in the archaeology of pre-Hispanic indigenous cultures, with a focus on indigenous populations of southern Central America between Mesoamerica and the Central Andes. He has built a solid base of empirical, scientific evidence and robust theories to help define these as a significant unit of study. Dr. Hoopes has undertaken extended critiques of both scientific and popular models, the latter including significant prejudices and misconceptions about indigenous cultures. His research is motivated by a strong sense of ethics, justice, and a desire to help people understand the world in detail by expanding knowledge as guided by informed insight. Your hosts:  Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, cultural consultant, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at Harvard University, The University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others.  @kurlytlapoyawa  Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.  Support the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!In this episode we explore the origin and meaning of the word Chicano. What does it mean to be a Chicano? Do Mexican Americans who hold right-wing views get to call themselves Chicano? Join your hosts as we dig into these topics!End song: Indigena by Aztlan Underground Used with permission (Tlazkamati, Yaotl Mazahua!)https://youtu.be/DZTmWj2pQJE?si=8ZbmUSi5hTM8Dhv9Your hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an  archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His  research covers  Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the  historical connections  between the two regions. He is the author of  numerous books and has  presented lectures at the University of New  Mexico, Harvard University,  Yale University, San Diego State  University, and numerous others. He  most recently released his  documentary short film "Guardians of the  Purple Kingdom," and is a  cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation  Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan revitalization. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Mexicolore, and several academic journals. He frequently presents at historical conferences and has taught courses at numerous colleges & universities. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.   Support the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Day of the Dead is Subversive Spirituality! Long before the arrival of Europeans, some of the Indigenous Mesoamerican traditions of honoring the dead were celebrated with two specific feasts: Mikailwitl (feast of the dead), and Wey Mikailwitl (great feast of the dead). These feasts were celebrated in early August through mid-September. In fact, we are currently in the “month” of Mikailwitl right now, as it began on August 8th or the day Chikome Kozkakwawtli in the ancestral Mexika calendar. These celebrations were dedicated to honoring the dead through dance, song, and offerings of food and drink. Altars and burials were adorned with marigolds, a sacred flower thought to attract the spirits so that they might enjoy the offerings left in their memory.Today, these celebrations have been blended with Catholic traditions, and take place on All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Many think that Mikailwitl and Wey Mikailwitl were absorbed into the Allhallowtide (All Saints Day and All Souls Day) under the direction of the Catholic Church, as these Christian holidays also involve honoring the dead. Unfortunately, this popular claim is often repeated without any evidence to back it up. For example, a column about Dia de Muertos published on the website weareyourvoicemag states “in an attempt to convert the natives to Catholicism, the Spanish colonizers moved the celebration to November 1 and 2 (All Saints Day), which is when we celebrate it currently.”But is this how it really happened? Listen and find out as we explore the different ways that our ancestors negotiated and navigated the colonial process by masking their rituals and ceremonies behind a catholic facade! Your hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, cultural consultant, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at Harvard University, The University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. @kurlytlapoyawa Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan revitalization. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Mexicolore, and several academic journals. He frequently presents at historical conferences and has taught courses at numerous colleges & universities. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.    Cover art: 1680 Pueblo Revolt at Hopi, Fred Nakayoma Kabotie, 1976. Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Laboratory of Anthropology, Santa Fe.   Support the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!The "Indias Mexicanas" who arrived in New Mexico during early colonization brought with them traditional healing and ceremonial practices. Members of the church often accused these women of practicing "witchcraft." In this episode, we are joined by New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez to discuss the legacies of these women!Your hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an  archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His  research covers  Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the  historical connections  between the two regions. He is the author of  numerous books and has  presented lectures at the University of New  Mexico, Harvard University,  Yale University, San Diego State  University, and numerous others. He  most recently released his  documentary short film "Guardians of the  Purple Kingdom," and is a  cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation  Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan revitalization. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Mexicolore, and several academic journals. He frequently presents at historical conferences and has taught courses at numerous colleges & universities. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.   Support the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

Subscriber-only episodelistener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!The "Indias Mexicanas" who arrived in New Mexico during early colonization brought with them traditional healing and ceremonial practices. Members of the church often accused these women of practicing "witchcraft." In this episode, we are joined by New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez to discuss the legacies of these women!Your hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an  archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His  research covers  Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the  historical connections  between the two regions. He is the author of  numerous books and has  presented lectures at the University of New  Mexico, Harvard University,  Yale University, San Diego State  University, and numerous others. He  most recently released his  documentary short film "Guardians of the  Purple Kingdom," and is a  cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation  Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan revitalization. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Mexicolore, and several academic journals. He frequently presents at historical conferences and has taught courses at numerous colleges & universities. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.   Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Dia de los Muertos: The Chicano Connection! Chicanos directly influenced the popularity of modern Dia de los Muertos celebrations in both the United States and Mexico. Let's find out how!Your hosts:  Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, cultural consultant, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at Harvard University, The University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others.  @kurlytlapoyawa  Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan revitalization. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Mexicolore, and several academic journals. He frequently presents at historical conferences and has taught courses at numerous colleges & universities. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.   Cited in this podcast: Regina Marchi, “Chicano Art as Alternative Media: Its Influence on US Popular Culture (and Beyond),” The International Journal of the Arts in Society 4, no. 5 (2010): 447–64, https://doi.org/10.7282/T3X63K9R. Regina Marchi, “Hybridity and Authenticity in US Day of the Dead Celebrations,” Journal of American Folklore 126, no. 501 (January 1, 2013): 272–301, https://doi.org/10.5406/jamerfolk.126.501.0272.  Support the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

Subscriber-only episodelistener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!In this EXTENDED members-only episode, we are joined by Chicano author Scott Russell Duncan to talk about his new book "Old California Strikes Back" and the state of Chicano publishing!"Old California Strikes Back is a modern Ramona Diary, the record tourists kept of the sites of Old California and the book Ramona and Hollywood movies that renamed and transformed them. A mix of fantasy and memoir, the author SRD's tour turns surreal as he enters the myths of the Californios with the talking head of the Chicano folk hero Joaquin Murrieta. They race a self-styled Zorro to get the spurious Jewels of Ramona while the media is convinced SRD and Joaquin are the serial killer dubbed Two-Heads. Ultimately, SRD records his truth and recreates a reality where he may exist."Purchase here: https://amzn.to/483B3LAYour hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an  archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His  research covers  Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the  historical connections  between the two regions. He is the author of  numerous books and has  presented lectures at the University of New  Mexico, Harvard University,  Yale University, San Diego State  University, and numerous others. He  most recently released his  documentary short film "Guardians of the  Purple Kingdom," and is a  cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation  Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan revitalization. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Mexicolore, and several academic journals. He frequently presents at historical conferences and has taught courses at numerous colleges & universities. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.   Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!In this episode we are joined by Chicano author Scott Russell Duncan to talk about his new book "Old California Strikes Back" and the state of Chicano publishing!"Old California Strikes Back is a modern Ramona Diary, the record tourists kept of the sites of Old California and the book Ramona and Hollywood movies that renamed and transformed them. A mix of fantasy and memoir, the author SRD's tour turns surreal as he enters the myths of the Californios with the talking head of the Chicano folk hero Joaquin Murrieta. They race a self-styled Zorro to get the spurious Jewels of Ramona while the media is convinced SRD and Joaquin are the serial killer dubbed Two-Heads. Ultimately, SRD records his truth and recreates a reality where he may exist."Purchase here: https://amzn.to/483B3LAYour hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an  archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His  research covers  Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the  historical connections  between the two regions. He is the author of  numerous books and has  presented lectures at the University of New  Mexico, Harvard University,  Yale University, San Diego State  University, and numerous others. He  most recently released his  documentary short film "Guardians of the  Purple Kingdom," and is a  cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation  Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan revitalization. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Mexicolore, and several academic journals. He frequently presents at historical conferences and has taught courses at numerous colleges & universities. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.   Support the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Christopher Columbus & The Indians of God!It has often been claimed that Christopher Columbus did not refer to the Indigenous people of the Americas as "Indians" because he thought he landed in India, but because he thought that they were "gente in Dios," or "people in God." But is this actually true? and what is the source of this controversial claim? Your hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an  archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His  research covers  Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the  historical connections  between the two regions. He is the author of  numerous books and has  presented lectures at the University of New  Mexico, Harvard University,  Yale University, San Diego State  University, and numerous others. He  most recently released his  documentary short film "Guardians of the  Purple Kingdom," and is a  cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation  Studios.@kurlytlapoyawa Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan revitalization. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Mexicolore, and several academic journals. He frequently presents at historical conferences and has taught courses at numerous colleges & universities. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.   Cited in this podcast:“I Am Not a Leader”: Russell Means’ 1980 Mother Jones Cover StoryChristopher Columbus, The Journal of Christopher Columbus (during His First Voyage, 1492-93) and Documents Relating the Voyages of John Cabot and Gaspar Corte Real, trans. Clements R. Markham, Cambridge Library Collection (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010). David Wilton, Word Myths: Debunking Linguistic Urban Legends (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008).George Carlin, Brain Droppings (New York: Hyperion, 1997).Peter Matthiessen, “Native Earth,” Parabola: Myth & Quest for Meaning, Vol. 6, no. 1 (Spring 1981).Peter Matthiessen, Indian Country (New York: Viking Press, 1984).  Support the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!In this interview from Kurly's first attempt at podcasting, we are joined by author and researcher Ben Radford of Skeptical Inquirer science magazine as we take a look at the Nazca Lines of Peru, the European Occultist origins of some allegedly "traditional" Maya knowledge, and the Chupacabra! Your host:  Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.@kurlytlapoyawa  Support the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking