La Danza de la Pluma Project is a project in collaboration with the Museo Comunitario "Balaa Xtee Guech Gulal" of Teotitlán del Valle, and Metamorfosis Documentation Project.
La Danza de la Pluma Project is a multifaceted endeavor that, in cooperation with the local authorities and the dance group (Grupo de Promesa 2007 - 2009), documented the dance itself, produced a video documentary, and established a permanent Dance Exhibit in the Community Museum. Metamorfosis Documentation Project donated the rights to the reproduction of the documentary to the Community Museum for their sole benefit.
La Danza de la Pluma (The Feather Dance) is a cross-cultural conquest dance, part of the cycle of Conquest Dances, and closely related to the Matachín dances.
Before the Spanish presence in America, in the mid XIV century, the Mixtecs from the north conquered the Oaxacan valleys. Although the Mixtecs and the Zapotecs were fierce enemies, they formed an alliance to defend themselves from a common enemy, the Aztec empire. Around that time the Mixtecs paid homage to the God of Dance (Yya Yaasitasaha). Its effigy was represented with a blue helmet with a gold crown topped with long feathers arranged in the form of a fan; in one hand was held a rattle, in the other flowers.
The first mention in the chronicles of the Spanish Conquistadors of a cross-cultural dance in Oaxaca (and predecessor of the modern Danza de la Pluma) took place at Cuilapan. At his palace, the Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, Martín Cortez performed a dance for the celebration of the birth of their twin sons. A skirmish was enacted representing Cortez and Montezuma, in which Martín himself played the part of his father.
The modern Danza de la Pluma evolved in this way from Zapotec and Mixtec dance rituals in Oaxaca under the influence of the Spanish colonizers. It incorporates the struggle between Moctezuma and Cortez, Christianity and paganism, with several variations as to the ultimate victor. It has deep cultural significance and importance, with dancers committing themselves for a three-year period, and involves much ritual preparation and community involvement. The essential element of reciprocity, of "paying your dues" for the benefit of the community, is evidenced by the dancers' commitment.
While the Danza de la Pluma is performed throughout Oaxaca, Teotitlán del Valle is one of only two communities that still practice the dance as a religious ritual.
Teotitlán del Valle (whose translation from the Nahuatl is “Place of the Gods in the Valley”) is the oldest known settlement in the valley of Oaxaca; it is referred to as the Spiritual Heart of the Sacred Valley of Tlacolula. Teotitlán del Valle is considered the guardian of the Zapotec culture of the valley, and its presentation of the Danza de la Pluma is renowned. Teotitlán del Valle is acclaimed worldwide for the Zapotec weavings it produces.