La Matanza De Tóxcatl: Apología De La Herencia Mexica A Través De La Danza

The ancient civilizations of Mexico have long attracted scholarly attention due to their historical significance and the fascination they have inspired since their so-called “discovery.” Among the many aspects that structured the everyday life of these cultures, dance constituted a fundamental form of bodily expression, whether intended for religious purposes or artistic creation. While today dance is often understood as a staged practice confined to entertainment, there remain communities in which it still fulfils a deeper function: that of sustaining a living connection with the cultural legacy of the past. This study examines the well-known historical episode of the Tóxcatl massacre (1520) through the lens of the dances performed immediately prior to the killings. Moreover, as the ceremony continues to be celebrated in certain regions of Mexico, the analysis draws not only on colonial accounts but also on a contemporary recording (2020) that enables a dialogue between past and present. In doing so, the article demonstrates the enduring relevance of these ritual practices and foregrounds the contemporary reassertion of indigenous memory in the face of a tragic colonial history.