Toro Mambo, Sinaloa state

This tradition takes us back to one of the many religious celebrations brought by Spaniards to Mexico. Every 8th of March takes place the biggest fireworks fiesta in Mexico to celebrate St. John, with “pyrotechnics castles” and “fireworks bull”.

This dance represents fear to the Devil (represented by the bull), but at the same time it represents how we face our fears with self-determination confronting the bull. The costumes, posture and steps respond to this region’s weather and warmth characteristic of people from the coast.

El Circo, Nuevo León state

During the late 19th century, German and Czech migrants to Northern Mexico and the U.S. Southwest brought different styles among them the polka. These European migrants influenced the music and dance scene by bringing the accordion, waltz, and polka. Soon, local bands adopted these elements, and a new unique style gradually resulted from a blend with Mexican ranchera styles: a unique norteño genre, thus named because it was primarily popular in the northern regions of Mexico.

Zapateado, Veracruz state

The common music’s theme is undoubtedly from Indigenous origin as well as rural (animals, customs, landscapes, landforms, etc.). However it is also true that in the Son Jarocho, as almost any other form of music from Mexico come together the three ethnic roots: Indigenous (as mentioned above), black (rhythms) and European (in the instruments and harmonies).

This is a dance competition for the best dancer and is traditionally danced a capella (without music).

Written by Patricia Galán

Gift of Light, Federation Square 2011

Photo: Cynthia Granados