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Antonio Gomora (view source)

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==Biographical Information==

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Gómora's claim of being of Aztec ethnicity cannot be verified from information available on the internet. Both English and German Wikipedia carry an article on Gómora, and while the English article does not mention any ethnic affiliation, the German one rather denies Gómora was an Aztec by stating he felt associated with the Aztec.<ref> accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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Gómora's claim of being of Aztec ethnicity cannot be verified from information available on the internet. Both English and German Wikipedia carry an article on Gómora, and while the English article does not mention any ethnic affiliation, the German one rather denies Gómora was an Aztec by stating he felt associated with the Aztec.<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xokonoschtletl_Gomora accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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He apparently is a certified tourist guide in Mexico. Gómora has been living in Europe since about 1986, and has been touring Europe regularly with Mexican dance groups organised by him. His self-professed aim, however, is the repatriation of a feather crown which belonged to Montezuma, but was appropriated and given to the Spanish kings in early 16th century and has been kept in the Ethnological Museum in Vienna, Austria since the 19th century.<ref>~~http://~~www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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He apparently is a certified tourist guide in Mexico. Gómora has been living in Europe since about 1986, and has been touring Europe regularly with Mexican dance groups organised by him. His self-professed aim, however, is the repatriation of a feather crown which belonged to Montezuma, but was appropriated and given to the Spanish kings in early 16th century and has been kept in the Ethnological Museum in Vienna, Austria since the 19th century.<ref>www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

===Diverging Information regarding place of residence===

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==Various Claims==

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Gómora employs various claims to promote himself, emphasising his reputation and connections. In a short bio authored by himself, he e.g. claims:

''"My name is Xokonoschtletl Gomora. I am a traditional drummer and dancer of the Aztecs, author of books (11), speaker of the UN, delegate to Europe of a Mexican human rights organisation, and a creative member of the Club of Budapest.

''Since 1986, I periodically come to Europe to achieve the repatriation of the sacred feather crown of Montezuma (which has been in Austria since 1524). This sacred feather crown is the most important relic of Mexico [...]."''<ref>http://www.epubli.de/shop/autor/Xokonoschtletl-Gomora/4244 accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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First of all, the use of the word "relic" is somewhat surprising, since Moctezuma did not have religious authority, and the term has Christian connotations. The crown also has not been in Austria since 1524 as it was first recorded in the archives of Archduke Ferdinand in 1575<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montezuma%27s_headdress accessed 02/04/2014</ref>; however, Gómora keeps using this date which therefore must be seen as desinformation, and unfortunately this is repeated by other websites.<ref>see e.g. ~~http://~~www.umane.de/Inhalte/Infos/Temazkalli/Xoko/xoko.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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First of all, the use of the word "relic" is somewhat surprising, since Moctezuma did not have religious authority, and the term has Christian connotations. The crown also has not been in Austria since 1524 as it was first recorded in the archives of Archduke Ferdinand in 1575<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montezuma%27s_headdress accessed 02/04/2014</ref>; however, Gómora keeps using this date which therefore must be seen as desinformation, and unfortunately this is repeated by other websites.<ref>see e.g. www.umane.de/Inhalte/Infos/Temazkalli/Xoko/xoko.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

His claim of being a or the UN speaker cannot be confirmed in any way which suggests it is a mere publicity stunt. The Mexican human rights organisation unnamed in the above quote is the Frente Mexicano Pro Derechos Humanos [Mexican Front for Human Rights], on whose website Gómora is neither listed as a member nor as a delegate to any place.<ref>http://www.fmpdh.com.mx/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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The dubious claims are even more blown out of proportion on the website of a German plastic shaman claiming a "shaman brotherhood" with Gómora:

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''"Xokonoschtletl Gomora [...] is the representative of the Mexican Indian movement. He is the official speaker of the United Nations, the World Council of Indigenous Peoples and, since 1993, a delegate of the human rights organisation Frente Mexicano Pro Derechos Humanos to Europe.''<ref>~~http://~~www.umane.de/Inhalte/Infos/Temazkalli/Xoko/xoko.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The claim Gómora was the "official speaker" of the UN is rather ridiculous.

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''"Xokonoschtletl Gomora [...] is the representative of the Mexican Indian movement. He is the official speaker of the United Nations, the World Council of Indigenous Peoples and, since 1993, a delegate of the human rights organisation Frente Mexicano Pro Derechos Humanos to Europe.''<ref>www.umane.de/Inhalte/Infos/Temazkalli/Xoko/xoko.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The claim Gómora was the "official speaker" of the UN is rather ridiculous.

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A Swiss association supporting Gómora and his projects further describe him as an ''"... employee of the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico"''<ref>~~http://~~www.ahal.ch/xokono.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>, the claim being repeated by a magazine pulished by the protestant church in the Swiss canton of Argau which is supplied to its employees.<ref>www.ref-ag.ch/informationen-medien/a-o/PDF/a_o_05/ao-04-05.pdf accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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A Swiss association supporting Gómora and his projects further describe him as an ''"... employee of the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico"''<ref>www.ahal.ch/xokono.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>, the claim being repeated by a magazine pulished by the protestant church in the Swiss canton of Argau which is supplied to its employees.<ref>www.ref-ag.ch/informationen-medien/a-o/PDF/a_o_05/ao-04-05.pdf accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

The aforementioned Swiss site also claims Gómora was a member of a "South American Indian Counsil [sic]", the claim likewise being repeated on more websites, including the faulty spelling.<ref>http://www.ahal.ch/xokono.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> However, the original name of this organisation is Consejo Indio de Sud America, and it organises indigenous tribes and organisations from South America, not from Central America<ref>http://www.yachana.org/research/oxford_movs.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref>, therefore it seems highly unlikely that they should have accepted a Mexican individual as a member.

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===Dance Groups===

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The dance group has been organised since the 1990ies, first under the name of "Tloke Nauake", and since about 2000 under the name of "Ometeotl". The group performs publically on various occasions and e.g. has been a guest at the annual "Karl May Festival" for numerous years, although they do not seem to participate since about 2008/2009. However, organisers of this festival are not too particular about whom they engage and have accepted a plastic shaman to perform during the festival at least in 2008.<ref>http://www.radebeul24.info/galeriepause.php?action=show&picid=1203 accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The performances for the Karl May Festival e.g. were not effected by criticism of Gómora's treatment of the dancers which was voiced already in 2000<ref>http://www.hobby-barfuss.de/archiv/messages/6399.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> and 2003.<ref>http://www.karl-may-stiftung.de/forum/messages/41.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The reports describe that Gómora paid the dancers a monthly wage of DM 500 resp. € 250 and pointed out this also was a pittance in Mexico, in particular since the dancers were not covered by any health insurance during their sojourn in Europe. Further points of criticsm were that Gómora kept the dancer's passports and return tickets and denied them access to medical treatment when needed. Although dancers were coming in on tourist visa, they were not only made to perform professionally, but also had to sell Mexican crafts for Gómora, and, without having obtained health certificates issued by German authorities, were also expected to sell soft drinks and food. The reports further point out that dancers were from other indigenous background than Nahua. Although the 2003 report was published at the forum kept at the site of Karl-May-Stiftung, this apparently had no effects on Gómora's participation in the festivals.<ref>~~http://~~www.karl-may-stiftung.de/forum/messages/41.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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The dance group has been organised since the 1990ies, first under the name of "Tloke Nauake", and since about 2000 under the name of "Ometeotl". The group performs publically on various occasions and e.g. has been a guest at the annual "Karl May Festival" for numerous years, although they do not seem to participate since about 2008/2009. However, organisers of this festival are not too particular about whom they engage and have accepted a plastic shaman to perform during the festival at least in 2008.<ref>http://www.radebeul24.info/galeriepause.php?action=show&picid=1203 accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The performances for the Karl May Festival e.g. were not effected by criticism of Gómora's treatment of the dancers which was voiced already in 2000<ref>http://www.hobby-barfuss.de/archiv/messages/6399.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> and 2003.<ref>http://www.karl-may-stiftung.de/forum/messages/41.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The reports describe that Gómora paid the dancers a monthly wage of DM 500 resp. € 250 and pointed out this also was a pittance in Mexico, in particular since the dancers were not covered by any health insurance during their sojourn in Europe. Further points of criticsm were that Gómora kept the dancer's passports and return tickets and denied them access to medical treatment when needed. Although dancers were coming in on tourist visa, they were not only made to perform professionally, but also had to sell Mexican crafts for Gómora, and, without having obtained health certificates issued by German authorities, were also expected to sell soft drinks and food. The reports further point out that dancers were from other indigenous background than Nahua. Although the 2003 report was published at the forum kept at the site of Karl-May-Stiftung, this apparently had no effects on Gómora's participation in the festivals.<ref>www.karl-may-stiftung.de/forum/messages/41.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

===Shamanic Activities===

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Gómora is very careful on his website about publically advertising services as a so-called shaman. He e.g. offers ''"personal consultations & self-help"'' appointments ''"for persons who, due to anxieties, shyness, because of health or psychological problems, do not want to speak up in groups.[...] I will respond to these persons in intensive conversations with advice or suggestions to improve their respective situations."''<ref>~~http://~~www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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Gómora is very careful on his website about publically advertising services as a so-called shaman. He e.g. offers ''"personal consultations & self-help"'' appointments ''"for persons who, due to anxieties, shyness, because of health or psychological problems, do not want to speak up in groups.[...] I will respond to these persons in intensive conversations with advice or suggestions to improve their respective situations."''<ref>www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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In a different part of his website, Gómora advertises seminars in Yucatán which comprise ''"cleansings with copal (incense), sweatlodge ceremony, magic, shamanism, nutrition and health, lessons in drumming and dancing, walks in nature, trips to places of power, natural remedies and much more..."''; the price of € 950 includes accomodation and food, non-alcoholic beverage, trips, transfer to/from airport.<ref>~~http://~~www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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In a different part of his website, Gómora advertises seminars in Yucatán which comprise ''"cleansings with copal (incense), sweatlodge ceremony, magic, shamanism, nutrition and health, lessons in drumming and dancing, walks in nature, trips to places of power, natural remedies and much more..."''; the price of € 950 includes accomodation and food, non-alcoholic beverage, trips, transfer to/from airport.<ref>www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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The German Wikipedia entry, apparently effected and monitored by supporters, lists Gómora in the category "shaman". He is also claimed as a teacher by at least one German plastic shaman who says he was initiated by Gómora and allegedly has a "shaman brotherhood" with him.<ref>e.g. ~~http://~~www.umane.de/GreyOwl/Freunde/wfalliance.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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The German Wikipedia entry, apparently effected and monitored by supporters, lists Gómora in the category "shaman". He is also claimed as a teacher by at least one German plastic shaman who says he was initiated by Gómora and allegedly has a "shaman brotherhood" with him.<ref>e.g. www.umane.de/GreyOwl/Freunde/wfalliance.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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Gómora also wrote a book with two co-authors, titled "Mother Earth's Medicine". The book is said to ''"give attention to the ancient healing wisdom of the Indians. In an extensive part on self-medication, readers may learn interesting things about Indian healing methods for the treatment of more than 40 every-day discomforts in an easy-to-grasp way. [...] One part of the book deals intensely with the "Green Sisters" (healing plants) of Indian medicine. A further part describes various disease patterns, their causes, and ways of treatment. Xokonoshtletl, a Mexican Indian from the Aztec people, has studied the ancient American medicine, its healing plants and healing methods since decades..."''<ref>~~http://~~heilfastenkur.de/buch-70-Medizin-der-Mutter-Erde.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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Gómora also wrote a book with two co-authors, titled "Mother Earth's Medicine". The book is said to ''"give attention to the ancient healing wisdom of the Indians. In an extensive part on self-medication, readers may learn interesting things about Indian healing methods for the treatment of more than 40 every-day discomforts in an easy-to-grasp way. [...] One part of the book deals intensely with the "Green Sisters" (healing plants) of Indian medicine. A further part describes various disease patterns, their causes, and ways of treatment. Xokonoshtletl, a Mexican Indian from the Aztec people, has studied the ancient American medicine, its healing plants and healing methods since decades..."''<ref>heilfastenkur.de/buch-70-Medizin-der-Mutter-Erde.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

Apparently, Gómora is also in contact with further Newage writers, like e.g. [[Fosar und Bludorf|Grazina Fosar and Franz Bludorf]] who contend:

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''"The large feather headdresses worn by North and Meso American Indians during their rituals and which we all know from Wild West films, are by no means just decoration. As the traditional Aztec dancer and shaman Xokonoschtletl Gomora once told, they are antennas which catch "cosmic energy" (Schumann waves) during a dance. As we have seen, the Indians were thus able to achieve at changed states of consciousness, for which they also employed further means."''<ref>~~http://~~www.fosar-bludorf.com/archiv/rz.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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''"The large feather headdresses worn by North and Meso American Indians during their rituals and which we all know from Wild West films, are by no means just decoration. As the traditional Aztec dancer and shaman Xokonoschtletl Gomora once told, they are antennas which catch "cosmic energy" (Schumann waves) during a dance. As we have seen, the Indians were thus able to achieve at changed states of consciousness, for which they also employed further means."''<ref>www.fosar-bludorf.com/archiv/rz.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

However, Gómora does not only pass such tales on within the Newage scene but also repeats it in lectures given at schools.<ref>http://www.obernburg.de/komxpress/DynDox/0F0B13EC-7898-4EC3-84E0-A84F40CBEF1A/2006-09.pdf accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

===Seminars===

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On his website, Gómora promotes seminars either in Europe or in Mexico, albeit with a very general description. European seminars are offered either for weekends, or for seven days, with an "individual concept possible". The seminars in Mexico are said to last four to ten days and also offer the possibility of an individual concept.<ref>~~http://~~www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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On his website, Gómora promotes seminars either in Europe or in Mexico, albeit with a very general description. European seminars are offered either for weekends, or for seven days, with an "individual concept possible". The seminars in Mexico are said to last four to ten days and also offer the possibility of an individual concept.<ref>www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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Other seminars advertised were e.g. on "Divine Dualism" in May 2012.<ref>http://www.nahael.de/Special_Blog?id=7 accessed 02/04/2014</ref> A meanwhile neglected earlier website kept by or for Gómora also advertises seminars in Europe on ''"the history and ancient wisdom of the Maya"'', as well as ''"drumming seminars, ancient wisdom of medicine and herbal lore, sweatlodge with aura cleansing."''<ref>~~http://~~xokonoschtletl.xo.funpic.de/aufgaben.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref> It must be pointed out that, apart from employing several Newage catchwords, the advertised "aura cleansing" does not belong to indigenous spiritual practices. Although sweat houses were known in Meso-America, their use does not seem to have been a spiritual ceremony, as is the case with various North-American indigenous ethnic groups. It is likewise noteworthy that Gómora offers seminars on history and "ancient wisdom" of the Maya in 2012.

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Other seminars advertised were e.g. on "Divine Dualism" in May 2012.<ref>http://www.nahael.de/Special_Blog?id=7 accessed 02/04/2014</ref> A meanwhile neglected earlier website kept by or for Gómora also advertises seminars in Europe on ''"the history and ancient wisdom of the Maya"'', as well as ''"drumming seminars, ancient wisdom of medicine and herbal lore, sweatlodge with aura cleansing."''<ref>xokonoschtletl.xo.funpic.de/aufgaben.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref> It must be pointed out that, apart from employing several Newage catchwords, the advertised "aura cleansing" does not belong to indigenous spiritual practices. Although sweat houses were known in Meso-America, their use does not seem to have been a spiritual ceremony, as is the case with various North-American indigenous ethnic groups. It is likewise noteworthy that Gómora offers seminars on history and "ancient wisdom" of the Maya in 2012.

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Seminars advertised in 2012 e.g. were titled ''"Traditional Medicine and Rituals of Cleansings of the Aztecs"'', contents covered: ''"the meaning of the Aztec calendar - the symbol of death - the symbol of the sacred circle, of numbers and colours - views of a savage - learning to be a part of nature - philosophy and legends of the Aztecs (oral tradition)."'' The advertisement was categorised under "Ethno-Medicine, Human Rights, Anthropology, International Understanding"<ref>~~http://~~www.selbsthilfegruppen.de/veranstaltungen/seminar-mit-xokonoschtletl-gomora-2/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref> and was placed by a student of German plastic shaman [[J.-Michael Kalagin]] who also promotes Gómora on her own website, albeit wrongly characterising him as a "shaman of the Mandan".<ref>~~http://~~www.visionsunlimited.de/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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Seminars advertised in 2012 e.g. were titled ''"Traditional Medicine and Rituals of Cleansings of the Aztecs"'', contents covered: ''"the meaning of the Aztec calendar - the symbol of death - the symbol of the sacred circle, of numbers and colours - views of a savage - learning to be a part of nature - philosophy and legends of the Aztecs (oral tradition)."'' The advertisement was categorised under "Ethno-Medicine, Human Rights, Anthropology, International Understanding"<ref>www.selbsthilfegruppen.de/veranstaltungen/seminar-mit-xokonoschtletl-gomora-2/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref> and was placed by a student of German plastic shaman [[J.-Michael Kalagin]] who also promotes Gómora on her own website, albeit wrongly characterising him as a "shaman of the Mandan".<ref>www.visionsunlimited.de/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

===Newage Fairs===

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The Swiss supporting site also announced Gómora's participation in the "Lebenskraft 2005", the "16th fair for Newage, Consciousness, and Health/Newage Days" in the town of Zurich in March 2005.<ref>~~http://~~www.ahal.ch/news.htm accessed ß2/04/2014</ref>

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The Swiss supporting site also announced Gómora's participation in the "Lebenskraft 2005", the "16th fair for Newage, Consciousness, and Health/Newage Days" in the town of Zurich in March 2005.<ref>www.ahal.ch/news.htm accessed ß2/04/2014</ref>

===Tour Operator and Language Courses===

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As Gómora claims to be a certified tourist guide, he also arranges travels to Mexico for his customers: ''"I know the country very well and annually organise one or two round trips through Mexico. I will also arrange these trips for companies, schools, organisations, private persons. We will visit the jungle, grottos, mountains, markets... I will take you to a Mexico which will remain unknown to the other tourists!"''<ref>~~http://~~www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/03/2014</ref>

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As Gómora claims to be a certified tourist guide, he also arranges travels to Mexico for his customers: ''"I know the country very well and annually organise one or two round trips through Mexico. I will also arrange these trips for companies, schools, organisations, private persons. We will visit the jungle, grottos, mountains, markets... I will take you to a Mexico which will remain unknown to the other tourists!"''<ref>www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/03/2014</ref>

He further offers language courses at his premises in Yucatan:

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''"Learning Maya language directly within the Maya world!! Around the town of Muna/Yucatan, there are numerous persons speaking Maya. This is proven by the nearby, sacred archeological places and grottos: Uxmal, Sayil, Labna, X-Lapak, Chichen-Itza, Kalketok, Lol-Tun and many more."''<ref>~~http://~~www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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''"Learning Maya language directly within the Maya world!! Around the town of Muna/Yucatan, there are numerous persons speaking Maya. This is proven by the nearby, sacred archeological places and grottos: Uxmal, Sayil, Labna, X-Lapak, Chichen-Itza, Kalketok, Lol-Tun and many more."''<ref>www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

Since Gómora claims to be Aztec, it is noteworthy he does not offer courses in Nahuatl. He also does not seem to be aware that Maya is not a single language, but a family of several languages, some of which are not mutually comprehensible.

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The association apparently has no separate website, and information provided on Gómora's sites is rather incomplete: readers mainly learn this association allegedly exists, that Gómora is its chairman, and that there is a bank account for donations which are urgently asked for with the claim of substantial expense having been made to this effect which are in no way specified.

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An English entry at Wikipedia also provides no further details regarding the association's founding except for mentioning: ''"He later founded the Asociación Civil Yankuik Anahuak (International Civil Association Yankuik Anahuak), through which he has struggled for thirty years [...]"''.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xokonoschtletl_G%C3%B3mora accessed 02/04/2014</ref> However, the author of this entry covered no other indigenous issues in Wikipedia.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Rosymonterrey accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The article placed in German Wikipedia also is none more precise and it author was likewise not involved with indigenous issues: apart from the article on Gómora, the author also attended to one on an Austrian pop singer turned Newager<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spezial:Beitr%C3%A4ge/Yanahuak accessed 02/04/2014</ref>, and also published further promotional articles on Gómora.<ref>http://www.offenes-presseportal.de/kunst_kultur/montezumas_heilige_federkrone_-_befristete_rueckkehr_aus_wien_nach_mexiko_geplant_215162.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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An English entry at Wikipedia also provides no further details regarding the association's founding except for mentioning: ''"He later founded the Asociación Civil Yankuik Anahuak (International Civil Association Yankuik Anahuak), through which he has struggled for thirty years [...]"''.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xokonoschtletl_G%C3%B3mora accessed 02/04/2014</ref> However, the author of this entry covered no other indigenous issues in Wikipedia.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Rosymonterrey accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The article placed in German Wikipedia also is none more precise and its author was likewise not involved with indigenous issues: apart from the article on Gómora, the author also attended to one on an Austrian pop singer turned Newager<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spezial:Beitr%C3%A4ge/Yanahuak accessed 02/04/2014</ref>, and also published further promotional articles on Gómora.<ref>http://www.offenes-presseportal.de/kunst_kultur/montezumas_heilige_federkrone_-_befristete_rueckkehr_aus_wien_nach_mexiko_geplant_215162.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

Gòmora's current website claims:

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''- Supports the repatriation of cultural-historical rituals, sacral and sacred objects to their country of origin

''- Repatriation of the feather crown of the 9th sovereign of the Aztecs Motekuhzoma [sic] to their home-country Mexiko

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''(which is kept at the Ethnological Museum in Vienna, Austria since 1524)."''<ref>~~http://~~www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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''(which is kept at the Ethnological Museum in Vienna, Austria since 1524)."''<ref>www.xoko.org/ accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

The association seems to be more for the benefit of its chairperson who trades in Mexican crafts and tours with indigenous dancers, and who also owns the project Ahal (see next paragraph for more details). Apart from this, Gómora hands out desinformation to his readers, as the feather crown has in no way been kept in the Vienna museum since 1524 which was founded in 1928.<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weltmuseum_Wien accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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The site of a German plastic shaman provides the information the association was founded in 1993 and explains that "yankuik" meant "new" in the Aztec Nahuatl language, while "Anahuak" was the Nahuatl term for Mexico ''"which orginally extended over an area of 6 million kms [sic]: California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, today's Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua [...]"''.<ref>~~http://~~www.umane.de/Inhalte/Infos/Temazkalli/Xoko/xoko.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref> However, this does not describe the historic Aztec empire, but rather the regions held by the Spanish implemented Vice-Kingdom New Spain, albeit neglecting the Philippines and a few Caribbean and South American territories also belonging to New Spain.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Spain accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The real extent of the Aztec empire was restricted to territories in Mexico.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aztec_Empire_1519_map-fr.svg accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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The site of a German plastic shaman provides the information the association was founded in 1993 and explains that "yankuik" meant "new" in the Aztec Nahuatl language, while "Anahuak" was the Nahuatl term for Mexico ''"which orginally extended over an area of 6 million kms [sic]: California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, today's Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua [...]"''.<ref>www.umane.de/Inhalte/Infos/Temazkalli/Xoko/xoko.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref> However, this does not describe the historic Aztec empire, but rather the regions held by the Spanish implemented Vice-Kingdom New Spain, albeit neglecting the Philippines and a few Caribbean and South American territories also belonging to New Spain.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Spain accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The real extent of the Aztec empire was restricted to territories in Mexico.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aztec_Empire_1519_map-fr.svg accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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This site also claims that Yankuik Anahuak had ''"its seat in Mexico City. Sister organisations are situated in Austria, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and Switzerland"''.<ref>~~http://~~www.umane.de/Inhalte/Infos/Temazkalli/Xoko/xoko.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref> Apart from the German branch, all other sister organisations claimed cannot be verified on the internet and are only mentioned on this website.

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This site also claims that Yankuik Anahuak had ''"its seat in Mexico City. Sister organisations are situated in Austria, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and Switzerland"''.<ref>www.umane.de/Inhalte/Infos/Temazkalli/Xoko/xoko.html accessed 02/04/2014</ref> Apart from the German branch, all other sister organisations claimed cannot be verified on the internet and are only mentioned on this website.

===Project Ahal===

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This project also does not get mentioned much in the internet. A circle of Swiss supporters described the project in the following way:

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''"In February 1999, Xokonoschtletl founded the Project Ahal (= Awakening) with the purchase of a property in Muna (Yucatan) which has a size of about 45 hectares. He has since been investing all his energy and all his money into it."''<ref>~~http://~~www.ahal.ch/xokono.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The community of Muna is also described as being in the vicinity of the ancient Maya town of Uxmal and it is pointed out that this region has 340 days of sunshine per year.<ref>~~http://~~www.ahal.ch/dasprojekt.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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''"In February 1999, Xokonoschtletl founded the Project Ahal (= Awakening) with the purchase of a property in Muna (Yucatan) which has a size of about 45 hectares. He has since been investing all his energy and all his money into it."''<ref>www.ahal.ch/xokono.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The community of Muna is also described as being in the vicinity of the ancient Maya town of Uxmal and it is pointed out that this region has 340 days of sunshine per year.<ref>www.ahal.ch/dasprojekt.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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Ahal is described as a ''"sacred place - health centre - botanical garden - protected landscape - place of power - traditional Maya school - centre of perma culture - biological agriculture - National Mexican Society for traditional dance"''.<ref>~~http://~~www.ahal.ch/dasprojekt.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The description seems to be aimed at a largely alternatively minded European audience, from Newage spirituality (e.g. sacred place, place of power) to ecologically minded persons (e.g. perma culture, biological). In line with these catchwords, the first main field of Ahal is said to be "ecological tourism", with the two other fields mentioned as "agricultural zone" and "medical, cultural, and spiritual zone", the latter announced as the "heart of Ahal": ''"The health centre with numerous therapy places, pool, grottos, sweatlodges, schools for adults and children as well as schools in the Maya tradition and of traditional dance, original pre-Spanish buildings and huts for guests, teachers, workers, and sponsors"''.<ref>~~http://~~www.ahal.ch/dasprojekt.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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Ahal is described as a ''"sacred place - health centre - botanical garden - protected landscape - place of power - traditional Maya school - centre of perma culture - biological agriculture - National Mexican Society for traditional dance"''.<ref>www.ahal.ch/dasprojekt.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The description seems to be aimed at a largely alternatively minded European audience, from Newage spirituality (e.g. sacred place, place of power) to ecologically minded persons (e.g. perma culture, biological). In line with these catchwords, the first main field of Ahal is said to be "ecological tourism", with the two other fields mentioned as "agricultural zone" and "medical, cultural, and spiritual zone", the latter announced as the "heart of Ahal": ''"The health centre with numerous therapy places, pool, grottos, sweatlodges, schools for adults and children as well as schools in the Maya tradition and of traditional dance, original pre-Spanish buildings and huts for guests, teachers, workers, and sponsors"''.<ref>www.ahal.ch/dasprojekt.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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The promotional text also mentions that the premises already have as many as 2,900 fruit trees twenty years old which suggests that Gómora bought an already existing orchard. It further announces: ''"The area has got a camping lot, museums, a restaurant, a pool, and a historical well"''.<ref>~~http://~~www.ahal.ch/dasprojekt.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The wording, however, is ambiguous and does not specify whether these facilities are on or off Gómora's premises.

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The promotional text also mentions that the premises already have as many as 2,900 fruit trees twenty years old which suggests that Gómora bought an already existing orchard. It further announces: ''"The area has got a camping lot, museums, a restaurant, a pool, and a historical well"''.<ref>www.ahal.ch/dasprojekt.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref> The wording, however, is ambiguous and does not specify whether these facilities are on or off Gómora's premises.

It must also be pointed out that this property is not in the federal state Gómora comes from (Tabasco), but in Yucatan. The indigenous population there are not Nahua but Maya. Since Gómora claims he intends to help "his people", it is quite noteworthy this project is not situated in a Nahua community, but in a completely different environment among a Mayan population.

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The site promoting Ahal is also actively asking for donations. However, since the site went online in 2005, it has apparently not been updated ever since, although the person maintaining it published her own website in 2009 on which she also promoted Gómora.

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A report critical of Gómora's activities also mentioned that the "alleged social project in Yucatan served as a training camp for new dancers hired to join Gómora*s dance group.<ref>http://www.karl-may-stiftung.de/forum/messages/41.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

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A report critical of Gómora's activities also mentioned that the "alleged social project in Yucatan served as a training camp for new dancers hired to join Gómora's dance group.<ref>http://www.karl-may-stiftung.de/forum/messages/41.htm accessed 02/04/2014</ref>

==Criticism==

Halbmond

editor, reviewer

547

edits