At the heart of Mexico City, a place full of history attracts tourists and locals to witness a connection with the past and the native traditions.
Everything starts at the sound of the cow's horn. Suddenly, dancers dressed up in native Aztec garments gather in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the most relevant Cathedrals of Mexico City.
The garments stand out from the normal, made of colored feathers on the head and bells on the ankles that sound to the beat of drums. The scene is complete with the aroma of incense, a mixture of burnt herbs that permeates anyone who crosses the square.
This square finds itself in the middle of two cultures: a Spanish Catholic Cathedral laid upon the ruins of the Templo Mayor, the main pyramid of the Aztec civilization.
In pre-colonialism, the temple hosted rituals due to its perfect astronomical orientation; nowadays, the temple ruins are visible in opposition to the Cathedral, a unique and rare match of time and culture.
Nevertheless, native people haven't stopped performing rituals at this place. During these rituals, the dance performance is not alone attracting most of the viewers, another one that promises to purify the soul and drive away demons has a waiting line of volunteers and believers.
At this ritual, the volunteers are swept with herbs all around their bodies and cleaned with smoke from the incense; eventually, most volunteers claim to feel pain relief, which attracts others to join.
Once the rituals are complete, the performers come back to dress in contemporary clothes, mixing with the rest of the crowd and leaving behind the culture they hold.
Most of us can only contemplate these rituals as witnesses as they uphold a tradition many have lost.