Latin Pulse: Aztecs

1/16/15

Latin Pulse: 1.16.2015

During the first month of the new year, Latin Pulse focuses on the spiritual aspects of indigenous communities as a way of providing reflection on this time of change. The program features the stories and analysis of experts on archaeology and anthropology to provide context on these deep topics. The program looks at spiritual practice and history in Mexico and Guatemala. The news segment of the program discusses the latest change in travel and trade regulations between the U.S. and Cuba, allowing travelers from the United States to travel to Cuba unfettered for the first time in many decades.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

David Freidel of Washington University; and
Tim Knab of the Universidad de las Americas - Puebla.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell;
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Production Assistant: Gabriela Canchola.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Cuba
Mexico
Guatemala
indigenous religion
diplomacy
trade
United States
tourism
Raul Castro
travel
political prisoners
archaeology
ancestor worship
Day of the Dead
anthropology
Central America
dream analysis
Maya
Aztecs
Nahuatl
agriculture
shamans
curanderos
Tikal
Teotihuacan
colonialism
Catholicism
culture
health

This week, Latin Pulse studies the culture of indigenous religions as the program dives into the history of the Day of the Dead. The program takes a look at the impact of colonialism on this holiday, and how those changes impact Latin America today. However, the day continues to be a celebration of humanity's relationship with death and the environment. Then, in the second half of the show, the program analyzes Mayan spirituality and its central role in Mayan culture. The news segment of the program follows the evolving situation with a group of missing university students in Mexico.