Araceli Jaime, Aztec Dance Firekeeper

Araceli Jaime is the fire keeper for the Aztec-Chicimec dance group Ce Atl Tonalli. Her apprentice, Karol Alaniz, has been enthusiastically learning about the tradition since she joined the group eight years ago.

Araceli Jaime burning copal on her home altar.

Each March, the group observes the Mexica New Year with a 24-hour event on the Yakama reservation. At the 2024 event, Karol participated as a firekeeper for the first time. In the year since, she has focused on being more disciplined and being mentally and physically organized in order to fulfill the firekeeper’s responsibilities at weekly practices and at larger events and ceremonies.

Araceli demonstrating correct techniques to firekeepers from other Aztec Dance groups in preparation for the 2025 Mexica New Year event.

At gatherings, firekeepers welcome each person individually with copal and incorporate fruit, flowers, and other gifts into the offering for the generators of life. They also ensure every group member’s physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Karol Alaniz (right) ensuring the wellbeing of each member of Ce Atl Tonalli.

The firekeeper is among those who offer advice to the leaders of the group. They are essential in many ways. “The sahumadora is the only one who can never be absent because without her, there is no fire,” Araceli says. “The fire is the heart of the group and of the altar.”