Source: Voice of the Valley

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=8b2d879134c73044537f81a8b09e0b32

On February 28, 2004 Voice of the Valley reported, "Some 150 people gathered recently in a private home in the Central Valley town of Madera for an emotive ritual. The ceremony, known as Candlemas Day, is traditionally celebrated Feb. 2, or 40 days after Three Kings Day. Candlemas Day celebrates the 'Presentation of the Christ Child' to his temple. 'It was unforgettable,'said Juana Soto, 25, who participated in the ceremony Feb. 15. 'It’s beautiful to see so many people enjoying our traditions.' Soto, from Angahuan, Mexico, is part of the Purepecha indigenous group from the Mexican state of Michoacan. The Purepecha flourished in the region between the years 1000 and 1521. In spite of constant wars with the powerful Aztecs, the Aztecs never defeated the Purepecha. The Purepecha are now estimated to number some 140,000 individuals that maintain parts of their culture and language. Juana Soto belongs to one of the approximately 10 Purepecha families that now live in Madera, although there are also families of similar origin in Merced, Fresno, San Jose and Selma, California."