Folk Dance Of Mexico

Folk dance of Mexico (Spanish –baile folklórico) covers a wide range of dance forms which gained their current forms from the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire to about 1750. These dance forms derive from the country’s indigenous, European and, to some extent, African heritages. While dance had been an important part of the country’s pre Hispanic history, most of these dances were eithereliminated by evangelization or modified with only few dance forms surviving mostly intact. Other dances performed in Mexico include those brought from Europe by the Spanish, with some of these also experiencing changes. African influence in Mexican dance is generally limited to areas in Veracruz and the Costa Chica of Guerrero and Oaxaca, where the country’s Afro-Mexican population is prominent. Folkdance, despite modernization and other social efforts, has survived and even strengthened since the colonial period. One reason for this is Mexico’s desire for a national identity, first after the Mexican War of Independence and again after the Mexican Revolution. These surges in popularity served to elevate a number of dances to national and even international prominence such as the JarabeTapatío or Mexican Hat Dance. However, efforts to preserve and recognized Mexico’s ethnic diversity, especially since the latter 20th century, have included the preservation of many local and regional dances as well.
Diversity
Mexican folk dance is an uneven synthesis of different cultural traditions. Its historical roots is the synthesis of indigenous, European and African cultural influences but itcontinues to evolves with influences from modern pop culture.[5] It is not one particular style but rather a collection of various regional and ethnic traditions.[3] Dance traditions vary widely over Mexico’s expanse. In some areas, such as the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Yucatan Peninsula, the pre Hispanic elements have almost completely disappeared. In others, such as Totonacapan (in thestates of Veracruz and Puebla), among the Nahuas of Guerrero and State of Mexico, the Huastecs of San Luis Potosí and areas in the northwest of the country, indigenous elements have been strongly maintained.[1] Those which are considered native or indigenous include Los Voladores, Los Quetzales and the Deer Dance. Those dances which have survived relatively intact are those in areas that were remotefrom colonial authorities. However, their “purity” is under debate.[3]
Most of the ancient dances have been modified in various ways, although most of these are superficial with the basic movements remaining intact from the pre Hispanic period. The aspect to change most has been costuming. The materials used to produce dance costumes, adapting to new materials and the loss of old ones. The use ofhides and feathers is the oldest of costuming traditions, but today costumes can be made of synthetic fabrics and other modern elements. One common substitution is the use of mirrors on costumes to replaced polished stones.[1]
Instruments used to accompany the dancers have changed to include those from Europe, but pre Hispanic ones, especially drums and flutes, are still used.[1] However, as manydances are still tied to religious events, knowing how to play the traditional songs and dance the traditional dances still gives dancers and musicians social stature, as they are keepers of tradition and expected to pass it along to the next generation.[5]
Traditional dance generally involves the history and/or the cosmology of the people who perform it, and is a part of the social cohesion ofthat group.[6] While varying widely, many folk dances in Mexico share some common elements. The animals that appear in these dances are generally those which had religious significance for the pre Hispanic indigenous such as the deer, the serpent, the eagle and the jaguar. After the Conquest other animals such as the horse, the bull and the rooster were added.[6] Masks are used in various ways...