Countywide : Children Learn the Steps to Pride

Step, step, step, jump. Side, side, back, kick.

Children in La Habra and Fullerton moved to those instructions by Aztec dancers David Rojas and Veronica Valdez, who recently began classes to teach their art in two predominantly Latino neighborhoods.

But the danzas they’re teaching are doing more than simply giving youths a new pastime. The traditional Aztec dances dedicated to the protection and respect of the Earth are instilling pride in the heritage of the Aztecs, who ruled a mighty empire in Mexico during the 1400s and early 1500s and left a lasting legacy in Mexican culture.

“Through dance, we are preserving the history of the culture,” said Valdez, 21, who teaches a class of about 20 pupils Tuesday afternoons at the Maple Center in Fullerton. “These children belong to this culture and it’s important that they learn about it.”

During one of Rojas’ classes, which are held Thursday evenings at Montwood Park in La Habra, students learned an age-old handshake, which includes a series of grips, each signifying friendship, unity, strength, power and a wish for progress.

Rojas, 23, then proceeded to teach the steps a movement performed in a circle at the beginning and end of each danza around burning copal or sage.

In upcoming classes, he said, his students will learn the dances “Tonatiuh,” which is dedicated to the sun; “Ehecatl,” dedicated to the wind; “Tlaloc,” dedicated to the sea, and “Tonancin,” dedicated to Mother Earth. Under the Aztec belief system, Tonatiuh, Ehecatl and Tlaloc were gods, respectively, of the sun, wind, and of rain and fertility.

The dances all are performed barefoot, Rojas told his pupils.

“Your feet will hurt because a lot of times we perform on hard concrete,” he said. “When you kneel in the danzas, your knees will hurt too. That’s part of the sacrifice of the dance that you’ll get used to. . . . Each dance gives thanks for the elements of the Earth. If you ever have to break the (dancing) circle, you must ask permission to leave.”

Rojas and Valdez belong to Danza Azteca Cuauhtemoc, a performing troupe with members in Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties that offers free dance classes to children in an effort to educate and spread the art.

Thirteen dance classes are being offered so far--four in Orange County.

“We see the youth today have lost our true identity, and that contributes to low self-esteem,” Rojas said. “These classes promote self-worth and pride in our cultural history, We’re trying to reach the kids who really need it and give them something positive to do.”

Rene Barrios, 10, said he is grateful for the class, which keeps him off the streets and out of trouble.

And, Rene added, he is learning a valuable lesson.

“Respect,” he said. “You should respect the Earth, older people, other kids and yourself because if you respect, you will be respected.”