Cuzcatlán seeks to reclaim a sense of belonging and a love for our own traditions and identity. Our performance is a tribute to the roots established by our ancestors.
The project was born within the diaspora in Los Angeles, California, under the direction of Saúl Méndez. It features a selection of highly experienced dancers representing our Salvadoran immigrants, along with national dancers known for their skill and discipline. We are accompanied by an orchestra of accomplished musicians with extensive careers, who will delight the ears of both experts and newcomers alike.
“Cuscatlán” is a Nahuatl word meaning “Land of Precious Things” or “Place of Jeweled Necklaces.” The term was used in pre-Hispanic times to refer to the region we now know as El Salvador, where the “Lordship of Cuzcatlán” was the dominant Nahua nation.
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Nahuatl: The word comes from the Nahuat roots kuskat (“necklace,” “precious stone,” “treasure”) and tan (“place of,” “among,” “with”).
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Meaning: Therefore, “Cuscatlán” literally means “Place of precious things.”
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Name of the Country: In the pre-Hispanic era, it was the name used to refer to El Salvador.
