Aztec Dancers Celebrate Heritage Through Movement

Northfield is home to an active Aztec dance (or “Ollin Ayacaxtly”) community. 

The group began in 2007, when Jesus Torres, a representative from the immigrant advocacy organization Centro Campesino, visited a ESL class.

Torres showed pictures and videos of Ollin Ayacaxtly during his presentation, inspiring the students to take up dancing.

“It’s really important to me to know my culture,” said group member Maria Martinez.

In Spring 2008, the group received the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative “Making a Difference” award.

Today, the group consists of 22 members, ranging in age from middle school students to high school graduates.

The dancers perform at community events and will make their next appearance in late April at ’s Latino Heritage and Culture Week.