PHOTOS: Traditional Aztec Dancers Put On a Show in Wilmington
Aztec DanceIrvin Casarrubias prepares to perform as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023. The intergenerational group celebrates traditional Aztec dance and helps to preserve Mexican culture as its members put down roots in the communities they now call home. Casarubbias, now 18, has been dancing since we was five-years-old.
The Aztec people dominated a portion of Mesoamerica for more than 200 years before the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. In the Mexican community, Aztec culture and history is a source of deep pride, with many people tracing their lineage back to the Aztecs.
All photos are taken by Cardinal & Pine contributor Madeline P. Gray, a documentary photographer based in Wilmington.
(Left to right) Irvin Casarrubias, Ismael Flores, and Francisco Santiago prepare to perform as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023. The intergenerational group celebrates traditional Aztec dance and helps to preserve Mexican culture as its members put down roots in the communities they now call home.Mayte Hernandez, 15, left, and Nelly Hernandez, 13, right, put on makeup before performing as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Francisco Santiago before performing as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Beneth Herrera, 14, before performing as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023. Herrera has been dancing since she was five-years-old.Francisco Santiago prepares to perform as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Beneth Herrera, left, and Nelly Hernandez, right, adjust their headpieces before performing as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.(Left to right) Ismael Flores, Gabby Andrade, and Francisco Santiago prepare to perform as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Nelly Hernandez, 13, prepares to perform as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Saray Rosas, left, applies makeup to Mario Aviles, right, before they both perform as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.The Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham perform at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Gabby Andrade performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Nicole Pereyra performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.The Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham perform at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Saray Rosas, left, and her son Thaigo, 3, right, perform as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Star Rivera, 15, performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Ismael Flores performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Nicole Pereyra performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Saray Rosas performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Iris Angel performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Drew Cortez performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Iris Angel performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Alan Pereyra performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Anna Cortez blows an instrument to make the sound of a jaguar as she performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Members of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham pose for a photo after performing at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023. The intergenerational group celebrates traditional Aztec dance and helps to preserve Mexican culture as its members put down roots in the communities they now call home.A headpiece sits on the ground as the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham perform at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.The Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham perform at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Alan Pereyra prepares to perform as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.The Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham perform at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Francisco Santiago performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.Saray Rosas performs as part of the Danza Guerreros de Quetzalcoatl de Durham at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24, 2023.
Madeline P. Gray
is a documentary photographer based in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is happiest at the end of a long dirt road or exploring coastal communities to help share stories that are off the well-worn path.
