THE 5 MOST OUTSTANDING TYPICAL DANCES AND DANCES OF YUCATAN - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The typical dances and dances of Yucatán are varied and very popular. They take place in the typical festivals of the region. Among the most important festivals are the dairy farms, originally associated with livestock activity.

These were parties that lasted three days and four nights. Currently they continue to celebrate but last only one day.

This party has three characteristics. The first is the Jarana orchestra. The second, the great fireworks display that occurs just before the party begins and during the dance.

And the third characteristic is the bomba, which are witty rhymes that the men who participate in the dance recite.

The music used is a mixture of traditional Mayan and European music. The orchestra is made up of wind instruments, a güiro and timpani.

The 5 main typical dances of Yucatan

1- Jarana

The Yucatecan jarana, also known as the mestizo jarana, is the typical dance of Yucatán. It originated around the 17th and 18th centuries and two varieties are presented.

One of these is the 6 × 8 jarana, which shows a dance with footwork that is reminiscent of Andalusian flamenco. It is danced to the rhythm of music that is a mixture of Mayan and Spanish.

On the other hand, the 3 × 4 jarana is posterior and is more similar to a waltz with an air of Aragonese jota.

At first it was only about the dance, but over time it was incorporating the recitation of rhymes.

The dancer maintains his upright posture, recalling the indigenous solemnity, while stamping his feet in all directions.

In the waltzed mode, the snapping of the fingers is also added, imitating the Spanish castanets.

The costume used by the women is a three-piece dress called a terno, consisting of a skirt, a square tunic and a huipil (native Mexican blouse). All clothing has colorful floral motifs and embroidery.

2- Kub Pul or the dance of Abraham and Isaac

The three main characters (Abraham, Isaac and the Devil) and the twelve apostles are represented, with masks.

These characters dance as a pilgrimage with a sacrificed pig. It is a dance in which the entire town participates.

3- The dance of the ribbons

The origin of the dance of the ribbons is European. However, Yucatán took it as its own, making it part of the dairy farms.

A ceibo wood post is placed, between 3.5 and 5 meters high. This pole is held by a dancer who is not participating in the dance.

Ten to twelve colored ribbons are attached to the top of that mast. Each dancer holds one of those ribbons while performing their dance steps.

The objective is not only the dance itself but to make a colored mat with the ribbons, which is then dismantled following the rhythm of the dance.

4- Kots Ka Tso dance

It means "dance of the slaughtering of turkeys." The dance is performed by twelve men who symbolically carry a turkey upside down that will be slaughtered.

5- Pol Kekén Dance

It is also called "dance of the pig's head". Historians maintain that it is a Mayan tradition that was originally performed with the head of a deer.

The cooked head of the pig is decorated with colored paper, bread, gold and silver coins, and ears of corn, among other elements.

Once adorned, the procession of the head takes place, preceded by a semi-naked character with a painted body and peacock feathers as a crown. It is followed by women who make a gourd sound.

References

1. Kay Walten. (2015). Take Part in a Yucatan Dance Tradition - Vaquerias. 11/01/2017, by Loco Gringo Website: locogringo.com
2. Luis Pérez Sabido. (2017). Yucatecan Traditions: Vaquería and Jarana. 11/01/2017, from Yucatan Today Website: yucatantoday.com
3. Judit Covarrubias García. (2016). Traditional Dances of Mexico. 11/01/2017, from Dance Website: dance.lovetoknow.com
4. Fatima Seppi. (2016). The dance of the ribbons in Yucatan. 11/01/2017, from Yucatan Travel Website: yucatan.travel
5. YCC Writers. (2016). The revelry, la Jarana. 11/01/2017, from Yucatan Compass Website: blog.yucatancompass.com