Indii means jaguar, tiger or ocelot in the Me´phaa indigenous language of Guerrero. This apex predator, the biggest cat species of the American continent, inhabits the mountainous region of Guerrero, and has been playing a significant role in the history, culture and biodiversity of this Southern state.
The Guerrerenses associate the mammal with fertility, rain, strength, authority, victorious fighters and the mythical union between men and nature. We can find writings, codices and cave paintings revealing places where tributes were paid to this feline divinity.
Reborn at the celebrations
Thanks to its great adaptability, we can find the animal from the south of the USA to various part of Mexico, even if its presence has greatly decreased through time. The power of the jaguar spirit rumbles in the woods, hides in the vast forest, plunges in the rivers and reincarnate itself in Guerrero celebrations every year.
During farming rituals, the jaguar becomes the main character of the Tlaminques, or Indii, dances. These dances, very representative of the Me´phaa people, include the jaguar and its offspring, the old man and his dog, the donkey, the fox, the skunk, the wild boar, the armadillo, the flies and the black vulture. All these animals populate the mountains of Guerrero, and play an important part in the performance.
The dance depicts the situation that local shepherds and farmers find themselves into during the rainy season, when the jaguar becomes a threat for their crops and pets. They decide to go hunting the enemy, along with the donkey and the dog. But the mission turns into a complex one, as the predator is agile and strong, forcing farmers to unite together in order to catch it. These performances fill the village streets, with excited children and adults roaring and screaming "na'kha indii" (here comes the jaguar!).
Connection between gods and mortals
The big cat is believed to be the bridge between men and the Gods of rain, who control the water supply, either by helping or damaging crops. During the heavy rain season in the Montaña, various rituals are carried out coupled with wind music, candles, and flower offerings for food and good, or bad, harvests to come.
With an intense, exotic and unusual cup profile, our coffee Indii is a tribute to the jaguar´s power and agility, following its footprint on the fertile land of Montaña Alta.
Photographs by: Facebook Danza de los Tlaminques -Barrio de Fátima-
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