Marshall Foster

My friend, my friend.
Your strength has carried us to another day’s end.
Our fathers, proud, revel with the stars at night,
harking to heaven with love in their eyes
for the days they rode where we now stand,
mud on our boots and hooves, reins in hand.

(There were storms all around. But instead of rain, a sunset fell over the French Gardians.)

More at www.MarshallFoster.com

, , , , , , , , ,

Marshall Foster | Humanitarian Photographer & Visual Storyteller Award-winning photographer Marshall Foster captures stories of strength, fragility, and the beauty found when we come together to help others.

The members of Danza Azteca Guadalupana make their own outfits, so each feather in their headdresses, every ankle rattle, every stitch in their attire is handcrafted by the dancers themselves.

, , , , , ,

Find the Stories Behind Humanitarian Photography | Marshall Foster Witness the impact of Marshall Foster’s award-winning photography. Discover images that reveal humanitarian crises, inspire change, and shed light on vital issues.

Following the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, indigenous traditions like Danza Azteca faced relentless suppression. Colonial authorities, determined to erase cultural resistance, banned native dances and destroyed instruments such as the huehuetl and teponaztli.

Danza Azteca, to me, is a profound statement of cultural continuity and transformation. It’s not just a dance; it’s a living bridge between the past and the present—a way for communities to reclaim what was nearly lost and infuse it with contemporary meaning.

It feels like an act of defiance against erasure and a celebration of survival, evolving from something sacred and ancient into something deeply personal and communal. Watching it or hearing its story, you can sense the layers of history—both the pain of what was suppressed and the triumph of what endures. It’s pride, memory, and celebration in motion, reminding us that culture is never static but something to live, pass on, and let grow.

, , , , , ,

Find the Stories Behind Humanitarian Photography | Marshall Foster Witness the impact of Marshall Foster’s award-winning photography. Discover images that reveal humanitarian crises, inspire change, and shed light on vital issues.

“We are embodying our ancestors as we dance,” Justin Heron, known by his tribal name, Nahui, says. “It’s a gift to the people around us, just by existing in our true form, a reflection we’re able to share while we dance, while we scream, while we speak.”

Justin has spent years reconnecting with his Apache and Otomi heritage—a journey that led him to perform with Danza Azteca Guadalupana in Austin, TX. Wearing a traditional headdress and ceremonial attire, he honors the stories and traditions passed down through his ancestors. Through his movements, he not only expresses his personal connection to his culture but also helps keep these stories alive for future generations.

As Heron says, “My hope is to instill pride and strength in our history, in who we are.”

***os

Austin, TX – On a cool fall evening at Waterloo Park, the beat of Danza Azteca Guadalupana’s drums reverberated through downtown streets, drawing in the crowd as members gathered to observe Día de los Mu***os.

This annual celebration serves both as a remembrance of loved ones and a way to preserve heritage. Grateful for the chance to capture and share a few images of Danza Azteca Guadalupana honoring tradition and community.

Looking forward to sharing more of their story in the days to come.

Featured here, performer: Nancy Jaimes

***os, , , , ,