Conversations with the Sierra Popoluca. Part 1

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Description

This is an innovative, intimate portrait of stalwart members of an indigenous people who inhabit Mexico's Sierra de Santa Marta and speak a derivative of ancient Olmec. For convenient classroom use, eight episodes, focused on various aspects of their culture, have been divided into Parts I and II -- available separately. Part I begins with recollections of an outlawed carnival celebration intercut with old women performing "Dance of the Tiger" in honor of the corn god. Episode two: younger women collaborate, guided by Santana, in making a fuel-saving clay stove. Episode three moves to Apolinar's clinic for a group-cleansing, followed by his recital of a chant to restore a soul stolen by wiley spirits called chanecos. In section four, Santana recounts her life-story.