Author: Lisette Morales McCabe

Natalie Navarro, 29, the lead drummer, anchors the circle with precision and grace. Her hands strike the drum rhythmically, summoning the energies of heaven and earth. Her sister Samantha, 26, along with her husband, Eduardo Galarza, 29, join in dancing with dynamic movements embodying the vibrancy of life. Eduardo serves as both lead dancer and instructor. He reflects, “This dance is for the water, fire, wind, spirit, and Mother Earth. Through our steps, we call upon a higher power—with flowers, through songs, and in the sound of the drums’s heartbeat. Flowers symbolize our humanity and the beauty of creation. Yet, we often forget that the earth is our home, and we’re causing its destruction.”

Beneath the comal, the flames swayed with a gentle warmth, mirroring the graceful cooking style of my late maternal grandmother, Emilia Velazquez, as she artfully crafted her tortillas. The tortillas puffed up, releasing an aroma known only to those who truly appreciate and understand the art.