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1.&2. "Pre-Columbian" era
The pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance
of significant European influences on the American continents.
From: Wikipedia
Pre-Columbian Latin America or the Caribbean refers to a time period before Christopher Columbus and other Europeans appeared
at these places in the 15th century then influencing and conquering the Native American civilizations. Interestingly the term
"Indian" was one given to Native Americans by Columbus in the mistaken belief that he had arrived in Asia.
3.&4. I chose to research The Papantla Flyers because I have seen them perform many times in Veracruz, Mexico and
I wanted to learn more about them.
5. The Danza de los Voladores de Papantla (Dance of Paypantla's flyers) is a ritualistic dance in Veracruz performed by
the Totonac Indians. Five men, each representing the five elements of the indigenous world climb atop a pole, one of them
stays on the pole playing a flute and dancing while the remaining four descend the pole with a rope tied by one of their feet.
The rope unwraps itself 13 times for each of the four flyers, symbolizing the 52 weeks of the year.
According to legend, a long drought covered the Earth so five men decided to send Xipe Totec, the God of fertility a message,
asking them for the rain to return. They went to the forest and looked for the straightest tree, cut it, and took it back
to their town. They removed all branches and placed it on the ground, then dressed themselves as feet/birds and descended
flying attempting to grab their God's attention. It is believed that this ritual began over 1,500 years ago, and later on
was disguised as a sort of game to protect their customs from the Spanish Priests.
In San Miguel de Allende (an arts and cultural colonial city 165 miles northwest of Mexico City) the Voladores perform
eight times during the weekend after the September 28 feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of the city.
Source: Falling...in Love with San Miguel: Retiring to Mexico on Social Security, Carol Schmidt and Norma Hair, Salsa
Verde Press, 2006,
6. I learned from Marlene about Paulo Freire that although he was born into a middle-class family he experienced economic
depression and rarely had enough to eat. And I agree with Loni that students learn more when there is a mutual respect between
teacher and student and that both have something to offer.
Lindsey Logan
Intdis4
Project 2A
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