Lively Indigenous Performance Offers Insight on Tradition

Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet brought spellbinding entertainment – and a lot of learning – ¬to the Wimberley Playhouse on Dec. 14. The story unfolds as Maria, a modern teenager, is sent to stay with her grandmother in Laredo to learn (and live up to) the values of her heritage. Audience reaction to the show was summed up by a young child’s question afterward: “Will there be a sequel?”

Children and adults, Anglo and Latino, marveled at the unique set made of willow branches cut from trees by the Blanco River and festooned with healing herbs. They learned that the language of the indigenous Coahuitecan people, replaced by Spanish in the 16th century by the arrival of Spaniards, has been preserved through generations. It is spoken today by all the cast members, and phrases are included in the show. The audience learned that there is no word for “sorry” in the Coahuitecan language. Instead, offenders must find a way to right a wrong. Indigenous themes of family loyalty, taking responsibility for one’s actions and outreach to others were stressed, as part of Maria’s education.

Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet was written by Maria Rocha and Roxanne Schroeder-Arce. It was produced by Indigenous Cultures Institute in partnership with Teatro Vivo. The performance was third in the Wimberley Players series, Five Saturdays of Cultural Sharing.