The ability to trace your lineage back to its ancestral roots is powerful. And for over 30 years, the Matachines de Ciudad Juárez, also known as Danza del Carrizo, have been honoring and preserving this living link through dance.

Established in 1991 in North Las Vegas by the Perez family, this native Mexican and American dance group carries the cultural legacy of its ancestors and blends Indigenous rituals with Catholic tradition.

The performances—vivid portrayals of the eternal battle between good and evil—trace back to the Tarahumara and Apache tribes of Northern Mexico and the American Southwest. They’re a staple at religious festivals, community events and parades, and their passion for the matachine tradition is fierce, driven by a need to keep it alive for future generations.

It’s all rooted in movement, sound and storytelling. As the steady pulse of drums builds, dancers fall into formation. Feathered headdresses sway, brightly colored costumes and the beaded nahuillas—rectangles of cloth that wrap around the dancers’ legs—shake with every step as they stand in their positions and the hand rattles settle down. A violin cuts through with a melody from the past as the group begins this dance of devotion, not only to the Virgin de Guadalupe, but also to their families and community.

Today, with over 50 members, Danza del Carrizo has become a symbol of cultural preservation and draws massive crowds no matter where their beat carries.

“I’ve had people come up and say that we inspire them to hold onto their tradition and be proud of being Hispanic or Indigenous,” says Adreana Perez, a third generation dancer. “We get a lot of admiration and appreciation.”

Adreana started dancing at age three, introduced by her father Jose Pilar Perez, who with his brothers had learned about the dance from his mother and original founder Ofelia Perez. She admits that although she’s been dancing her entire life, she didn’t understand its value until much later.

“Now, being a mother and being in my 40s, I learned how to appreciate how much tradition it holds,” she says, “It’s transitioned from dancing because my parents are making me, to now having a passion for it.”

Her son Andres Geronimo was in a way born into the Danza, given Adreana was practicing with the group up until her due date. And like his mother, he was inducted into the group at three years old as a dancer, and later grew into a drummer. Adreana’s youngest, Lozen, is soon to turn three years old and is also set to begin her dancing journey.

“In the womb, hearing the drums, feeling the steps … it’s something that gets transferred through the DNA. I guess … it’s in our blood,” says Adreana, whose siblings have also embraced the tradition.

Beyond its dedicated dancers, the heartbeat of the troupe resonates in its music. An integral part is Jesse Perez, whose hands have danced on the drumheads since he was a teen.

“Most of the drummers start with dancing,” he says. “My passion is the dance, but throughout the years, drummers come and go, so I jumped in.”

He’s been there since the early aughts of the Danza del Carrizo and tells stories of when his grandfather began dancing with the groups from the barrios of Juárez. Just like Adreana, he’d introduced his two daughters to the tradition, and they are both talented additions to the group. Today, he stands as one of the leaders of the group with his brother, Jose.

Though the Perez family forms the backbone of the group, many of the dancers joined after witnessing their performances at local events. The energy, cultural richness and powerful storytelling of the performance often leave audiences mesmerized. It’s common for spectators to approach the group after the dance, expressing their desire to join.

And for those who do, it’s a serious commitment. The group practices weekly during the main season from March through December 12—the Catholic holiday, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe—with a short break during the hot summer. 

Their dedication doesn’t stop at practice. They craft their own outfits out of commitment and respect for the tradition. Whether it’s hand-crafting elaborate feathered headdresses or stitching and beadwork, the dancers take pride in their self-made regalia, knowing that it reflects a deep connection to their heritage.

The Matachines de Ciudad Juárez will have it all on display during their Día de los Muertos grand finale performance, which will take place at Winchester Dondero Cultural Center on November 2. It’s a culmination of months of preparation and practice.

Even after they spend the day dancing around town at other holiday celebrations, their performance at Winchester is different. The vibrant ofrendas adorned with marigolds, the scent of traditional Mexican food like tamales and champurrado and the anticipation of the crowd amp them up.

For over 30 years, Danza del Carrizo has been a fixture of the Día de los Muertos celebration. It’s a cultural touchstone that they look forward to being a part of every year.

“There’s certain times when we’re performing that you feel a chill in the back of your spine,” says Jesse. “That’s what I’m always looking forward to. … It’s the spirit of the dance.”

LIFE IN DEATH: 23RD ANNUAL DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL November 1 & 2, 4-9 p.m., free. Winchester Dondero Cultural Center, clarkcountynv.gov.

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