Terésa and the matachines : Terésa y los matachines / Perry Gaspar

Author´s statement : the dance of the Matachines and all its variations are traditinally presented in numerous humble villages both Hispanic and Native American, from Mesoamerica up to northern New Mexico. The particular variation in my book comes from the village of alcalde, just north of Española, New Mexico. The village lies in what is considered the first area of Hispanic settlement in the present US (1598), giving the story a rich cultural significance. Terésa, who represents the historical figure of "La Malinche," is joined by ten wondrously costumed Matachines, or "soldiers of Montezuma". Also "El Monarca" their leader, "Torito", a boy in a bull skin, and "Abuelo", a masked clown. the basic premise of the celebration has been handed down for centuries, and is believed to have originated with the Moors in Spain. I was given the "blessing" and assistance from the village community and the families involved to produce this book for the benefit of all children who wish to experience more Hispanic-American culture.