Indigenous Cultures Institute

Description

Indigenous Cultures Institute is touring ‘Papako: The Journey,’ a 50-minute Indigenous play for families and young audiences, written by Coahuiltecan, Miakan-Garza tribal members. Prompted by a mysterious message from beyond the grave, Juan and Joseph set out on a harrowing trip that eventually leads them to the White Shaman mural near Comstock, Texas. In those dark, cliff-recesses, overhanging the converging Pecos and Rio Grande rivers, the cousins cross over into the mystical world of their ancestors and an urgent message is conveyed: ‘return our bodies to Mother Earth.’ An inspirational journey across Texas leading two teenagers into a colliding confrontation against a powerful institution determined to maintain their ‘collection’ of ancestral remains. For audiences 10 years old to adults. Of the ten-plus Native artists/groups sponsored by the Institute, the following are on the Texas Touring Roster: Dr. Aaron Pyle — composer/musician virtuoso, flute player, storyteller; Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli — phenomenal Aztec dancers, awe-inspiring feathered regalia, audience participation; Indigenous ACE — powerful, educational, authentic powwow dance demonstrations of Indigenous people of the Great Plains, audience participation; Danza Azteca Tepeyolotl Chalchiuhtlicue — high energy Aztec dancers, beautiful headdresses and regalia, educational. All performance companies are available for indoor and outdoor venues. Photos by Rene Renteria.