Originally from the Mexican state of Veracruz, the Volador ceremony is a fertility dance used by several ethnic groups in Mexico and Central America, especially the Totonac people in the eastern state of Veracruz. It is performed to express respect for and harmony with the natural and spiritual worlds. It spread across Mexico and was performed as far down as Nicaragua. Despite its current association with the Totonacs of Veracruz, in particular, in Papantla (hence the name), this intriguing dance may have originated from the Nahua, Huastecs, and Otomi cultures centuries ago.
A common Mesoamerican ritual, the Danza de Los Voladores originally served as a way to appease the gods and end a severe drought. According to the Totonac myth, the ritual originated to appease the gods and end a severe drought. This theory possibly explains why the ritual is mostly associated with solar gods, including Tlazotlteotl, Xipe, and Totec, as well as notable solar events such as the Spring Equinox.
A symbolic ceremony is performed by four young men climbing a pole, 18 to forty meters high, that has been cut from the forest, with the forgiveness of the mountain god. Five men – one of whom is the Caporal – stand on a platform on top of the pole, playing songs to the sun, the four winds, and the four cardinal directions. After these invocations, the others jump off the platform into the void. Utilizing long ropes, they hang from the platform as it spins, twirling to simulate the motions of flight and lowering themselves slowly to the earth.
Although the performance is very similar to what it was originally, modifications have been made over the years. The early versions involved the cutting of a tree. This process is known as tsakae kiki. However, permanent metal poles are far more common nowadays. Additionally, the ritual was once far more complex, including meditation and impersonation of birds, whereas the Nahua and Otomí cultures do not include pre-pole climbing dances. In other ceremonies, there are six flyers rather than five.
All the variants of the dance bring life to the story of the birth of the universe, allowing the ritual ceremony of the Voladores to express the worldview and values of the community, facilitate communication with the gods, and invite prosperity. The spirituality of the ritual enables pride in and respect for one's cultural heritage and identity for the dancers themselves as well as for those participating in the ritual as observers. The Voladores de Papantla is now a popular tourist attraction throughout Mexico, with shows taking place in tourist destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen, and Chapultepec Park in Mexico City.
References