Creating the DNA of a Mexican martial art: Ancestry, ethnicity and Mexicanidad in Xilam

Xilam (from Dzilam, literally, “to remove the skin” in Mayan) is a contemporary Mexican martial art developed by a singular pioneer, Marisela Ugalde, who perceived the need for a system of fighting and human development to instill pride in a country that has historically discriminated against its indigenous peoples. This article is based on my research (2011-2016) involving ethnographic fieldwork, the founder's life story, in-depth interviews, as well as analysis of documentaries, interviews, and media.

This work presents the technical composition of xilam within the historical context of Mexico as a modern nation that has undergone various stages of colonization and post-colonial ideological development around its national identity, most notably the concept of mestizaje (ethnic/racial mixing). It points to xilam as an example of a modern martial art, created within and for modern Mexicans who wish to learn more about their ancestral heritage—both cultural and genetic—and what Mexicanidad (Mexican identity) can mean in the 21st century.