It's that time of year again! In what has become an annual Cinco de Mayo tradition, we are revisiting one of our earlier episodes from the first season. Every year we see the return of hateful, anti-Mexican comments made in response to Cinco de Mayo, so we thought that it would be a topic worth coming back to. Enjoy!

On a dark, rainy Monday afternoon on May 5th, 1862, Mexican soldiers led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, and bolstered by Indigenous fighters from Xochiapulco, sierra de Tetela, and other Nawa communities, defeated the French army of Napolean III at the Battle of Puebla. Today, Cinco de Mayo, the day of this battle, is generally viewed as a “drinking Holiday” by its American participants. Something that is welcome with open arms by brewing companies who capitalize on the day by encouraging white people to don sombreros, serapes, and tacky fake mustaches as they revel in their drunken debauchery. By the way, if this Is you – knock it off. Your embarrassing yourself.

But, what is the actual history of Cinco de Mayo, what importance does it hold for Chicana/Chicano/Chicanx communities, and most importantly why is it celebrated in the United States?

Well dear listener, If you have ever asked yourself any of those questions, you're in luck. Because on today's episode we explore:

Cinco De Mayo: Why We Celebrate

Your hosts:

Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.
@kurlytlapoyawa

Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
@Tlakatekatl

Buzzsprout – Let’s get your podcast launched! 
Start for FREE

Support the show

www.talesfromaztlantis.com

https://www.patreon.com/hcarchy

Every once in a while, we see a story posted on social media claiming that horses never went extinct in the Americas and that Indigenous people had the horse long before the arrival of Europeans. If you spend any time on Indigenous social media, you probably know what we are talking about. Supporters of this claim seek to dispel what they view as a Eurocentric myth. A myth that, in their eyes, buries the true history of the horse in the Americas by discounting Indigenous oral traditions and ignoring archaeological evidence that would reshape our understanding of history.

But do these claims stand up to scrutiny? Did the horse really go extinct in the Americas? And what does all of this have to do with a religious zealot from the 1800s? Well dear listeners, hold on tight because it’s going to be a bumpy ride as we explore:

Indigenous people of the Americas and the Horse

Your Hosts:

Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.
@kurlytlapoyawa

Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
@Tlakatekatl

References:

Pleistocene Megafauna in Beringia

Archaeological Fantasies

Pseudoarchaeological Claims of Horses in the Americas

New Research Rewrites the History of American Horses

Early dispersal of domestic horses into the Great Plains and northern Rockies

TAG: Talking About Guns
“Talking About Guns” (TAG) is a podcast created to demystify a typically loaded and…

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

A Popular History of Unpopular Things
Making history more fun and accessible through gory, gross, and weird stories!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Buzzsprout – Let’s get your podcast launched! 
Start for FREE

Support the show

www.talesfromaztlantis.com

https://www.patreon.com/hcarchy

Recently, Kurly was invited to be a guest at the Indigenous Pop Culture Expo in Oklahoma City. In this premium episode, he sits down with founder Dr. Lee Francis, and artists Maria "Wolf" Lopez and Jim Terry to talk about the significance of this event!

Our guests:

Dr. Lee Francis: Albuquerque-based activist, educator, and comic creator Dr. Lee Francis IV is the Executive Director of Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers, owner and CEO of Native Realities Publishing, and founder of the Indigenous Comic Con and Red Planet Books and Comics.

Twitter: @leefrancisIV

Maria “Wolf” Lopez: Maria “Wolf” Lopez is a Chicago based comic book artist and illustrator who has taken the world by storm with her intensely powerful inks and unrelenting detail.  Her covers for Marvel and DC are some of the most highly sought after in the industry today.  Prior to the WOLF cover renaissance, her work graced the pages of several short stories and anthologies like “Deer Women” and “The Lost Pages” and she’s illustrated work for the Smithsonian Museum – Native Knowledge 360.

As one of the most dynamic and unique artists in comics today, Maria continues to illustrate otherworldly levels of detail and is unapologetic in her approach to art, delivering some of the most memorable and downright KILLER art you’ll ever find in a comic book.

Twitter: @thewolfmaria

Instagram: @thewolfmaria 

Jim Terry: JIM TERRY is a Native American comic book artist who's memoir “Come Home, Indio” was a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and the Ignatz, as well as the artist on such titles as THE CROW, HACK/SLASH, HEAVY METAL and more. He is currently working on WEST OF SUNDOWN from Vault Comics.

Instagram: @jimterryart

"The  first of its kind event, the Indigenous Pop Culture Expo looks to  showcase Native American and Indigenous creatives and communities in a  way that dispels the mythologies that Natives are a people of the past.  Rather we seek to show Native identity in all its past, present, and  future glory.

From  comics to games to film and tv, IndigiPopX is an exciting way to learn  more, experience and enjoy all that Native American popular culture has  to offer."

TAG: Talking About Guns
“Talking About Guns” (TAG) is a podcast created to demystify a typically loaded and…

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Buzzsprout – Let’s get your podcast launched! 
Start for FREE

Support the show

www.talesfromaztlantis.com

https://www.patreon.com/hcarchy

We are joined by comedian Chris Estrada! Estrada, one of the most exciting up-and-coming voices in comedy, is the co-creator, star, writer and executive producer of the hit Hulu series "This Fool" which is based on his standup comedy act and upbringing in South Los Angeles. 

Your Hosts:

Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.
@kurlytlapoyawa

Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
@Tlakatekatl

TAG: Talking About Guns
“Talking About Guns” (TAG) is a podcast created to demystify a typically loaded and…

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

A Popular History of Unpopular Things
Making history more fun and accessible through gory, gross, and weird stories!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Buzzsprout – Let’s get your podcast launched! 
Start for FREE

Support the show

www.talesfromaztlantis.com

https://www.patreon.com/hcarchy

On February 28, of the year 1525, Kwawtemok – the last sovereign tlatoani (ruler or speaker) of the Mexikah nation and the Anawak Confederacy, was assassinated by Hernán Cortés.  But who was Kwawtemok, and why is he an important figure in the collective memory of Mexicans? 

Your Hosts:

Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.
@kurlytlapoyawa

Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
@Tlakatekatl

TAG: Talking About Guns
“Talking About Guns” (TAG) is a podcast created to demystify a typically loaded and…

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

www.talesfromaztlantis.com

https://www.patreon.com/hcarchy

Netflix has recently decided to provide an outlet for pseudohistory, pseudoarchaeology, and outright bullshit with their new series "ancient apocalypse." In this Premium Throwback, we revisit our very first Premium Episode, in which we cast a critical lens on the many outlandish claims made by Graham Hancock. Enjoy!

Your Hosts:

Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.
@kurlytlapoyawa

Ruben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.
@Tlakatekatl

Support the show

www.talesfromaztlantis.com

https://www.patreon.com/hcarchy