The Mysteries of Latin America With Andrew Colón

Did the Mexica (whom most of the world know as the Aztecs) really begin their journey from a small island in Nayarit? In this episode, Andrew explores Mexcaltitán — the island long promoted as the possible location of Aztlán, the legendary homeland of the . We walk through the historical sources, the archaeological evidence, the political campaigns that shaped the modern myth, and the surprising new scholarship that challenges everything we thought we knew about Aztec origins. This is one of the most debated chapters in the search for Aztlán — and one that reveals as much about identity and national storytelling as it does about ancient history.

This episode is personal. Before I ever talked about lost cities, legends, or the history of the Americas… I was a kid who spent the Summer with my mother's family in Desamparados, Costa Rica. One afternoon in 1976, I said two words that changed how my entire family looked at me: “no sabo.” They laughed at me. They called us “los gringuitos.” And for years, I carried the shame of not speaking Spanish well enough. If you grew up in the U.S. and felt caught between languages or cultures, this story might be yours too. Being a “No Sabo kid” isn’t new, and it isn’t a joke. It’s the result of generations navigating survival, belonging, and identity on both sides of the border. In this episode, I break down: • What a “No Sabo kid” really is • The history behind language loss in Latino communities • How guilt and shame take root • How I reclaimed Spanish as an adult • Why language matters — but doesn’t define us Today I’m a bilingual voice-over artist and translator living in Mexico, telling the stories of our cultures from Mexico to Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. But it took a lifetime to get here. If you’ve ever been made to feel “not Latino enough,” I hope this helps you flip your script — and maybe start reclaiming whatever part of your identity you thought you lost. What’s your story? I genuinely want to hear it. 📲 Instagram:⁠https://www.instagram.com/andycolonvo⁠SHOP & SUPPORT THECHANNEL • Shirts, bags, mugs, and hats inspired by the show:⁠https://mola-merch.creator-spring.com/⁠ • Gear, books, and tools featured in the show:⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/themysteriesoflatinamericawithandrewcolon⁠HIRE ME TO VOICE YOUR VIDEO Need a bilingual voice-over in English or Spanish for yourtraining video, documentary, or commercial? Narration, eLearning, corporate, time-synced dubbing, andmore. 🔗 Book me: ⁠https://andycancun.com⁠ Welcome to The Mysteries of LatinAmerica. I’m Andrew Colón, and I explore myths,legends, lost cities, and cultural stories from Mexico to Argentina and acrossthe Caribbean. If you’re reconnecting with your roots — or just love goodstorytelling — you’re in the right place. #NoSabo #LatinoIdentity #BilingualLatinos #LearnSpanish#Latinidad  

What does it really mean when people say the American Southwest “used to be Mexico”? We're talking about Utah, Colorado, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada. The real history stretches across 1,000 years — long before the word “Mexico” even existed — through the rise of the Mexica (Aztec origins), native american history presences in what would become "America", three centuries of New Spain, independence, the Texas revolt, the Mexican–American War, and the moment the border moved while families stayed exactly where they’d always been. In this episode of The Mysteries of Latin America, you’ll discover: • What the world looked like before “Mexico” was a country • How the Mexica migrated from Aztlán to Tenochtitlan • Why the northern territories were never part of the Mexica Empire • How New Spain stretched into California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas • How independence created the first people called “Mexicans” • Why Tejas broke away — and why Tejanos fought to defend Mexico • What really happened in the Mexican–American War • How the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo redrew an entire continent • Why culture stayed even when borders didn’t And then YOU decide: Was it really Mexico… or does the deeper truth live in the layers of Indigenous, Spanish, and Mexican heritage that never left? ────────────────────────  SOURCES & REFERENCES • Durán, D. (1581). Historia de las Indias de Nueva España • Ixtlilxóchitl, F. de A. (17th c.). Relaciones Históricas • León-Portilla, M. (1959). La Visión de los Vencidos • Townsend, C. (2019). Fifth Sun — Oxford University Press • National Park Service — Indigenous Nations of the Southwest • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) — U.S. National Archives • Gadsden Purchase (1853) — Library of Congress ──────────────────────── ❓ WHAT DO YOU THINK? Did these lands “used to be Mexico”? Or is the real answer hidden in the Indigenous, Spanish, and Mexican roots that never disappeared — even when the border did? Drop your thoughts — and your sources — in the comments below. ──────────────────────── ✅ SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-mmWrV59t4X7wJClrm58kA Instagram https://www.instagram.com/andycolonvo Podcast — The Mysteries of Latin America Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/12rJLlkJLvPqv1Q6rSm9ll Apple → https://apple.co/4jGoTO0 ──────────────────────── 🛍️ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL MOLA Merch (shirts, hats, mugs): https://mola-merch.creator-spring.com/ Books, tools, and gear used in the show: https://www.amazon.com/shop/themysteriesoflatinamericawithandrewcolon ──────────────────────── 🎥 WATCH NEXT • Aztlán: The Original Migration Myth https://youtu.be/IpvObjsMlMU • Did The Aztecs Come From Califonia? https://youtu.be/pPWHr-jny6w • Is Utah The Original Home of the Aztecs? https://youtu.be/KUTtvebz8Vw ──────────────────────── 🎙️ NEED PROFESSIONAL VOICE-OVER? Narration in English or Spanish — documentaries, training, e-learning, character work, and time-synced dubbing. Book me directly: https://andycancun.com ──────────────────────── 🌎 ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to The Mysteries of Latin America. I’m Andrew Colón. Here we explore the myths, legends, ancient cities, and untold histories of Latin America — from northern Mexico to Argentina and across the Caribbean. If you’re reconnecting with your roots or just love learning the stories behind the places we come from… you’re in the right place.

This episode dives deep into the real origins of Día de Muertos (or do you call it Dia de los Muertos?), The Day Of the Dead—from the ancient Mexica (Aztec) festivals of Miccailhuitontli and Huey Miccailhuitl, to the Spanish Catholic traditions that blended with them centuries later, creating a vibrant celebration that honors the dead with love, not fear and one of the most important celebrations in Mexican culture. But isn't it just Mexican Halloween? #mexico culture You’ll discover: How Día de Muertos and Halloween evolved from completely different worlds.The true meaning behind the ofrenda (altar) — every flower, candle, and photograph has a purpose.The story of Mictēcacihuātl, the Mexica Lady of the Dead, who guided souls through Mictlán. How José Guadalupe Posada and Diego Rivera transformed a satirical drawing into La Catrina, Mexico’s timeless symbol of life and death.The fascinating history of Pan de Muerto and Sugar Skulls, from Spanish All Saints’ breads to Mexico’s artistry in sugar and spirit.And yes… how James Bond’s “Spectre” changed Día de Muertos forever. 🌎 A Journey Through Tradition From the candlelit lakes of Janitzio to the Maya Hanal Pixán of Yucatán, from the bustling Catrina Parade of Mexico City to quiet family altars in small towns — every region of Mexico celebrates differently. But each shares one truth: every life deserves to be remembered. 💬 Join the ConversationWhat’s on your ofrenda this year? Who are you honoring — a parent, a child, a friend, even a beloved pet?Share your story in the comments — it’s how these traditions stay alive. 🛍️ Support the ChannelFor Día de Muertos fans and supporters of The Mysteries of Latin America, explore the limited collection of T-shirts, hats, and bags inspired by this episode: 🛒 El Mercadito MOLA on Spring https://mola-merch.creator-spring.com/ 🎧 Want to go deeper? Discover the books and gear I use to make these videos and my voiceover work on my Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/themysteriesoflatinamericawithandrewcolon?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_N39WFB3YB9B5XW6THWY4 🎙️ Hire My Voice or CollaborateLooking for a bilingual voice for your next documentary, training video, or commercial? 🎤 Visit my site: https://www.andycancun.com/ 📧 Contact: 📧 Email: [email protected]   📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andycolonvo 🔔 Stay ConnectedIf you love stories that blend myth, history, and mystery from across Latin America, don’t forget to subscribe to the channel and tap the bell so you never miss an episode. Watch more here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-mmWrV59t4X7wJClrm58k  

Did the ancestors of the Mexica—the people we often call Aztecs—come from the red rock canyons of Utah? For years, legends have placed the Aztecs’ origin in a mythical homeland called Aztlán. But according to some researchers, Aztlán may not be mythical—or even Mexican. In this episode, I explore one of the most controversial and fascinating theories in Latin American history: Was Aztlán actually in the American Southwest? We'll look at: The Four Rivers theory near Moab, Utah The seven caves of Chicomoztoc and their real-world parallels Rock art in Sego Canyon and what some believe it shows The Uto-Aztecan language family and its northward roots What scholars like Miguel León-Portilla, Camilla Townsend, Alfredo López Austin, and Michael E. Smith say in response 🎧 With sources. With citations. With respect for the culture. And in the end—you decide. Check out the first episode on Aztlan here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TS2B9D3bwXjRTEUYbxrYL?si=ak55sQZNRQat5HhX07OEUw Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IauAWo 🔔 If you enjoy thoughtful storytelling about myth, migration, and identity, follow the show for new episodes every week. 🛍️ Support the project + grab gear inspired by these stories: https://www.andycancun.com/ 📲 Follow on Instagram: @andycolonvo 📩 Email: [email protected] 🎙️ YouTube channel: The Mysteries of Latin America 🛒 Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/themysteriesoflatinamericawithandrewcolon #AztecOrigins #Aztlán #Mexica #UtahMysteries #LatinAmericanHistory #MOLA #IndigenousHistory #MythAndMigration Homework Sources: Campbell, L. (1997). American Indian languages: The historical linguistics of Native America. Oxford University Press. Deseret News. (1990, March 24). Researchers say Aztec homeland was in Utah. Deseret News Publishing Company. Durán, D. (1581). Historia de las Indias de Nueva España e Islas de Tierra Firme. (English version often cited in secondary sources; original Spanish text widely published in Mesoamerican studies.) Gillespie, S. D. (1998). Codex Boturini and migration traditions of the Mexica. In Carrasco, D. (Ed.), The Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures. Oxford University Press. Hill, J. H. (2001). Proto-Uto-Aztecan: A community of cultivators in central Mexico? American Anthropologist, 103(4), 913–934. Ixtlilxóchitl, F. de A. (17th century). Relaciones históricas. (Compiled in various editions; specific references vary by edition.) León-Portilla, M. (1959). La visión de los vencidos: Relaciones indígenas de la conquista. UNAM / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. (English edition: León-Portilla, M. (1962). The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico. Beacon Press.) López Austin, A. (1980). Cuerpo humano e ideología: Las concepciones de los antiguos nahuas. UNAM / Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas. National Park Service. (n.d.). Archaeological resources of the southwestern United States. U.S. Department of the Interior. Rivas-Salmon, A., & Orosco, C. (1990). Aztec homeland theory and Utah. Interviewed and profiled in Deseret News (March 24, 1990). Shaul, D. (2014). The prehistory of the Uto-Aztecan languages. Anthropological Linguistics, 56(3–4), 255–302. Townsend, C. (2019). Fifth sun: A new history of the Aztecs. Oxford University Press. Utah Rock Art Research Association (URARA). (n.d.). Rock art styles of the Southwest. Retrieved from urara.wildapricot.org Whitley, D. S. (2005). Introduction to rock art research (2nd ed.). Left Coast Press.