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July 19, 2026
Photos by Scott Umstattd
Maribel Pérez Ramírez... "Dance makes us feel alive, vibrant, connected to something greater than ourselves. With each step, our hearts beat with emotion to the rhythm of the drum and the armadillo shell, filling us with joy.
Dance is tradition. It is faith. It is conquering day by day. It is unity and brotherhood.
I am Mari, and dance became a part of my life when I was seven-years-old. My father instilled in us, from a very young age, a love for the traditions of our town, San Miguel de Allende.
I belong to the Tlaloc Aztec Dance Group. Our guide on this path of dance is my brother, Francisco Pérez Ramírez, better known as Panchito, a kind-hearted and humble man who motivates us to continue on this path full of contrasts, but also full of joy.
May God and the conquering spirits of the four winds allow us to continue with this beautiful tradition that is the Dance of Conquest."
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Scott Umstattd is a fine art photographer and visual storyteller based in San Miguel de Allende. For the past decade, he has focused on photographing indigenous dancers. Working in tandem with dancers, he leads San Miguel Photography Adventures, offering immersive photography experiences that celebrate their traditions.
You can see more on his website
www.scott-pix.com/
And you can follow San Miguel Photography Adventures on Facebook and Instagram.
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