Matachines

Traditional

 

I learned the matachines played here from recordings my parents had of Southwestern Indians.  I quote from a delightful tape from UBIK Sound (PO Box 4771, Albuquerque, NM 87196) called Matachines (1991):

            "The Matachines is a traditional dance performed throughout New Mexico on various Saints' Days and Feast Days.  There are many active Matachines groups throughout the Hispanic and Indian communities of Northern New Mexico, each one with its own music and unique interpretations of the meaning of the dance."

            The "Matachini of Powachiki", on which we end this palying, is from the Tarahumaran Indians.

           

Small World Orchestra with Tom Judge – 5 string fideola and Susan Groce – fiddle.

 

Matachines is recorded on the album Gatherings