THE AZTEC CONCHEROS | Mexico City

The Concheros dance, also known as the dance of the Chichimecas, Aztecas and Mexicas, is an important traditional dance and ceremony which has been performed in Mexico since early in the colonial period. It consists of syncretic features, both pre-Hispanic and Christian.

It apparently originated in 1522, after the Spanish conquest of the Chichimec tribe, as a means of continuing ancient ritual.The Zocalo is central to Mexico's political and cultural identity as it marks the historical center of Mexico City and the center of the Aztec city-state of Tenochtitlan.

During the dances, ritualistic spirit cleansing is administered by some of the Concheros. This is done using tree leaves to fan the incense smoke over the bodies of those who seek the energy and the cleansing. Traditional herbs, such as basil, are used for the incense.

For larger photographs:

The Aztec Concheros by Tewfic El-Sawy on Exposure

MEXICAN COLORS

 

Mexico City bursts with life through its kaleidoscope of streets and buildings, where color isn't just an aesthetic—it's a language. From sun-baked terracotta facades and Pepto Pink walls to electric blue doorways, every corner feels like a curated palette straight from an artist’s imagination. The vivid hues echo the city's rich culture and layered history, creating a rhythm of contrasts: houses and stores brushed in pastels, bold murals splashed across alley walls, and church walls against blue cloudless skies.

It's a visual symphony where tradition and modernity dance in full technicolor.

This photo gallery captures the heartbeat of those colors in motion—where hot pink and mustard walls reflect golden hour light. In Mexico City, color is never incidental—it’s a bold, unapologetic statement of identity, resilience, and joy.

For larger photographs:

Mexico City's Colors by Tewfic El-Sawy on Exposure

AMAZONIA | Sebastião Salgado

I was thrilled to have -serendipitously- visited the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City and immersed myself in the awe-inspiring beauty and untamed majesty of Amazônia; an extraordinary photographic odyssey by the internationally acclaimed Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado.

There's an NPR article (2022) on it. 

"A native of Brazil, Salgado has made more than 58 trips to Amazonia. His photos depict lush tropical trees, dramatic clouds, the sinuous river, as well as the biodiversity of the jungle. The 78-year-old photographer says he flew with the Brazilian military over some of the most inaccessible areas to capture them with his camera.

One of his quotes: "If you take a picture of a human that does not make him noble, there is no reason to take this picture. That is my way of seeing things."

Here are some of the photographs I gawked at in the exhibition.