Dance+in+Mexico

// Lindsey Wickert //
 * Dance in Mexico**

Overview Dance in Mexico is an incredibly significant factor in the culture and traditions of the country. It is often referred to as “folk dance” or “folklore dance”. There are a number of different types and styles of dances, all with different histories, backgrounds, and meanings. Depending on the regionof Mexico, the style of dance and its accompaniments vary greatly. Each different region has differences such as music and instrumentation, outfits and costumes, partnering, dance steps, etc. The music that the people dance to ranges from indigenous, traditional music to contemporary Mexican pop and rock. The rich historical backgrounds of each region have shaped the specific characteristics individual to each type of dance. Some styles express their indigenous heritages, while others display more European traditions and characteristics that have been adopted by that specific region. Traditions are generally preserved over time orally and are passed down from generation to generation. Dance traditions are important parts of Mexican families, and can serve as a badge of identity for different people of different regions throughout the country. The next section will compare and contrast the different categories of Mexican dance.

Types of Dance There are many different categories of dance in Mexico, the major ones including Danza, Mestizo, Danzón, and Bailes Regionales. These categories separate the types of dance based on the influences, the performers of the dance, the locations, the nature, costumes, steps, etc. The following sections will go in to further in depth on the details of these types of Mexican dance.

**Danza**
Danza is the category of Mexican dance that includes dances that are of Mexican indigenous nature. In most cases, these types of dances are religious and have some type of spiritual influence. More often than not, these types of dances are performed not in large performances, but in more of a community, church, or religious setting. These dances are not performed for entertainment, but more as a ritual. These types of dances often follow specific patterns of steps and movements, and it has been said to be comparable to the waltz. The music in Danza is strictly instrumental, and very rarely features words or chants.

**Mestizo** Normally, the term [|Mestizo]is used to describe people of Mexico who do not fully identify with strictly Mexican heritage and background. They recognize and embrace influences of other places as well, such as Africa and Europe. Essentially, the term refers to people of Mexico who are a mix of heritages. The term in regards to dance, essentially has the exact same meaning. Mestizo is another type of indigenous dance, however most often it features characteristics of European influence. Some of these characteristics include the overall theme of the dance, the instrumentation of the music, the clothing and costumes worn, the actual steps of the dance, etc. Similar to Danza, Mestizo is often a religious dance. This is most reflected in the characteristics previously listed, however it can also be reflected in the choice of performers and partnership as well.

Much like, Danza, Danzón is also performed in sequences with specific patterns and steps, and is almost never improvised. Originally, the dancers who performed Danzón often held colored ribbon and flowers during their performances. The ribbons were twirled and interwoven with one another to create colorful, aesthetically pleasing visuals. This type of music originated in Cuba, and used to be considered scandalous by a number of people. It was considered scandalous because the slow music and rhythms was thought to entice people of the opposite sex (who were dancing partners) to dance very closely and move their hips in a synchronized fashion. In Mexico, Danzón is most popular in Veracruz, on the gulf coast. It is incredibly popular here for a number of reasons, one being that there is a large Cuban influence in this specific area, and Danzón is originally a Cuban dance. The popularity has also spread to areas such as Mexico City and Oaxaca. In fact, Danzón has continued its popularity as a dance in Mexico City even longer than it did in its place of origin in Cuba. This dance is also featured in many of the numerous festivals across Mexico.
 * Danzón [[image:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RTk24WgRE-A/ThCEGxNv1vI/AAAAAAAAADI/XZKb4K2WQqs/s1600/01-Indigenous+dancer+Small.jpg width="422" height="316" align="right" caption="Dancers in Oaxaca, Mexico"]] **

** Bailes Regionales ** The category of Bailes Regionales refers to dances that are specific to individual regions of Mexico. The characteristics of these dances are individual to these specific regions, and can be identifiers as to where the dance originated. As opposed to Danza and Mestizo, this type of dance is mostly performed for entertainment and social purposes. These types of dance are often performed more formally in actual theaters, rather than casually in local areas around the community. The Mexican ballet performing groups called Ballet Folklorico, which perform in Mexico and in the United States as well, are examples of Bailes Regionales. Most of the performers in these groups are actually Mestizo, or are of some sort of European descent.

Jarabe Tapatío Jarabe Tapatío, also known as the [|Mexican Hat Dance], does not necessarily fall into one of the specific categories listed above, but it is an important factor in Mexican dance. This dance was originally developed in the celebration of the great success of the Mexican Revolution. Still to this day, the Jarabe Tapatío represents the undeniable pride of the Mexican people, among other things. The dance itself is meant to be a depiction of love, and is performed by either one couple or a group of couples. The entire dance is very flirtatious and romantic. It tells a story of a man courting a woman, trying his hardest to impress her and win her attention, and eventually her love. Much like the Danzón, the Mexican Hat Dance has also been seen as a somewhat scandalous dance by certain religious and conservative groups. It has been seen as scandalous simply due to the sultry, flirtatious nature of the dance. However, this view has not compromised the popularity of the dance in Mexico whatsoever. The dance is also popular in certain regions of the United States, such as the south and southwestern states. It's fun-loving and whimsical nature makes it popular among people of all ages, even if they may not know the intended meaning behind the dance. It is nicknamed the Mexican Hat dance because of the use of the male dancer's sombrero throughout the dance. Many of the moves, performed by both partners, incorporate the male's sombrero in one way or another.

References

Cavalier, Debbie. //Mexican Folk Dance//. 1. Miami: Warner Bros.Publications, Print.

Karthik,. "Culture of Mexico." (2011): n. page. Web. 3 Dec. 2011. .

Karthik,. "Danzón." (2011): n. page. Web. 3 Dec. 2011. .

Unknown,. "History on Mexican Folklore." n. page. Web. ' 3 Dec. 2011.  .