My Visit To The Puerto Rican Cultural Center of Austin Texas

[Miguel Sague Jr]

During my November 2010 visit in Texas I had the opportunity to visit the Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Austin. This organization was founded and is administered by an amazing and indefatigable individual called Ana Maria Tekina-Eiru Maynard.

This image demonstrates a rehersal for an upcoming performance.

Many of the performance costumes are designed by Ana Maria herself. Here she shows me an authentic Taino mayohuacan drum created in Boriken

Ana Maria was a wonderful hostess to me and showed me all of the wonderful activities that take place at the magical site which is the home of this organization.

It is true that much of what takes place at the center is devoted to rehersal and preparing for the lavish and culturally rich performances that the Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance group mounts to the delight of Austin residents and many others, but this center is much more than the home of a performing arts ensemble as that term is usually understood. This is actually more of a social center, a spiritual retreat and a refuge for those who need to recharge their heritage batteries. Ana Maria and those who work with her have created here a kind of home for many members of the local Puerto Rican and Taino community to feel at home expressing their culture and demonstrating their cammaraderie within that tradition.

The most striking aspect of the work that happens there is the attention paid to the youth and the children. They are attracted by the joy and beauty of art in all of its manifestations. They are introduced to old Boricua traditions including those of our ancient Taino ancestors.

In these images Ana Maria shows me the wonderful work that takes place with the youngest of the members at the center where these little ones are introduced to traditional Boricua nursery rhymes and other traditions of their far-away Caribbean homeland.

I was welcomed into the warmth of Ana Maria's family after the rehersals and sessions at the center. They were kind enough to treat me to an awesome traditional Boricua meal at their favorite outdoor eatery.

Later I was hosted by Ana Maria and her family at their home where I had the opportunity to see her home work-space and meditation areas. Ana Maria and her family are very artistic and spiritual and her husband more than supports all of the work she does. He is a gifted musician in his own right and speaks Spanish.

May Yaya Guaturey the Grea Spirit and all of the Hupia ancestors bless the work and the family of this wonderful Taino woman.
Taino Ti
Miguel

[Miguel Sague Jr]

Thank You and all of those whom I met while I was there...Please keep up the great work!