THE 5 MOST POPULAR TYPICAL DANCES AND DANCES OF SINALOA - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The typical dances and dances of Sinaloa are strongly influenced by the dances of the aboriginal tribes. These ritual-type dances are present in different festivals, in which the Sinaloans wear impressive clothing.

The dances of Sinaloa have a pre-Hispanic origin. In their evangelizing mission during the 16th century, the Jesuits adopted some of these to be able to Christianize the aborigines, managing to spread even more throughout the Sinaloa region and its neighbor Sonora.

The Mayos (Yoremes) and the Yaquis are the ones who have been representing these typical dances for more than 300 years.

These indigenous people have also come to influence other communities, such as the Guarijíos, the Pápagos, the Pimas, the Tarahumara and the Tepehuanos of the north.

The Sinaloans have different dances that adapt to the different celebrations that they carry out throughout the year. Each one is performed with different musical instruments and striking costumes.

You may also be interested in the traditions and customs of Sinaloa.

The 5 main typical dances of Sinaloa

1- Dance of the Matachines

The dance of the Matachines arises from pre-Hispanic customs in which people dance with their gods in religious celebrations. They only take place in celebrations of a religious nature, such as Christmas.

Matachines wear bright and colorful clothing. The dances are carried out by a group of dancers in pairs, between eight and twelve. Music is played by violins and guitars.

2- Dance of the deer

The dance of the deer describes the hunting of deer by the pascola, who are the hunters.

This dance is carried out with the sounds of patch and water drums, flute, scrapers, rattles and tenábaris, the latter wrapped around the dancers' legs, generating sound with their movement.

The celebration of this dance aims to establish a cult towards nature, representing the life cycle of the animal.

This dance is a religious tradition and is performed by an indigenous person, either Yaqui or May. This indigenous person has been designated for this purpose since childhood.

3- Dance of the pascola

In the dance of the pascola, they cover their faces and rhythmically beat a rattle, imitating some element of the deer 'natural environment.

This dance is popular with the Mayans and allows for social exchange between them when they come together for celebrations.

Through these dances, the possibility is provided for people outside the Mayo people to integrate into the indigenous culture.

4- Dance of the coyotes

The dance of the coyotes can be found among the Mayos in San Miguel, or among the Yaquis in Sonora.

The music that accompanies this dance is that of a double-headed drum, with lyrics that refer to the life of the coyote. The main celebration in which this dance takes place is Easter.

For this dance, the dancer covers his head and back with coyote skin. During the dance he represents the movements of a coyote, to the rhythm of the music.

5- Dance of Lent

The dance of Lent or Easter is also performed with the sounds of drums, flutes and tenábaris.

The clothing used is striking. They wear masks, belts with coyoles or hanging bells.

References

1. The strong. (9 of 11 of 2017). Obtained from Danza del Venado in Sinaloa: elfuerte.gob.mx
2. Inah. (9 of 11 of 2017). Obtained from The dance of the pascola and the deer, identity element of northern Mexico: inah.gob.mx
3. Navojao. (9 of 11 of 2017). Obtained from The dance of the Mayos of Sonora: navojoa.gob.mx
4. Salazar, Ó. L. (9 of 11 of 2017). The Voice of the North. Obtained from The indigenous Sinaloa dances: lavozdelnorte.com.mx
5. Sinaloa X. (9 of 11 of 2017). Obtained from Danza del coyote: sinaloax.com
6. Uriarte, G. (9 of 11 of 2017). Galleon. Obtained from Sinaloa Danzas: galeon.com
7. Wikipedia. (9 of 11 of 2017). Obtained from Dance of the deer: en.wikipedia.org
8. Wikipedia. (9 of 11 of 2017). Obtained from Ballet Folklórico de México: es.wikipedia.org