Embodied Recuperations By Elisa Diana Huerta, For Ethnic Studies Class - Essay Example

Your Full Your 15 March Reaction Paper From a reader’s perspective, Elisa Diana Huerta’s article was an interesting read. In Embodied Recuperations, she talks about dance being part of cultural identity. Many people would associate cuisines, language and traditional lifestyles to describe cultural identity. According to Huerta and unbeknown to many, dance also features on the list. I was fascinated by her detailed description of the Danza Azteca and its role in the Chicano/Chicana culture.

Many cultures around the world use dance as a form of cultural or religious expression. Indian, Japanese, Sri Lankan, Turkish and many European nations to name a few, are known for their signature dances. Usually with an event or story behind each, these dances have been handed down through centuries, from generation to generation and remain largely unchanged. In my opinion, dance is one of the many things that bind us to our roots, linking us to our heritage. With the world rapidly becoming a melting-pot of cultures and traditions, the younger generations can become distanced from their roots.

By actively participating in traditional dance sessions, the cultural consciousness of such individuals can be boosted. Also, dance being a group activity involves and interests groups of people and brings them together, providing opportunities for social interaction. This is something I really like the sound of: people celebrating an occasion together! A bit like harvest celebrations or thanksgiving practices of some cultures where the whole community is involved. This can really help in creating a close-knit society, decreasing crime-rate and eliminating many problems that people generally face.

It also helps bridge gaps between different cultures and paves the way to a tolerant society. Works Cited Huerta, Elisa Diana. “Embodied Recuperations: Performance, Indigeneity, and Danza Azteca.” Dancing across Borders: Danzas y Bailes Mexicanos. Eds. Olga Nájera-Ramírez, Norma E. Cantú, and Brenda M. Romero. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2009. 3-18. Print.