The dances and dances typical of Chiapas They are cheerful and colorful expressions of popular feeling that honor their ancestral traditions and accompany their festivities.
Chiapas is a Mexican state whose historical and cultural wealth is majestically evident in its dance expressions.
The dance of the parachicos, Chiapas
Within these manifestations the most representative ones are the carnival of San Juan Chamula, the bolonchón, the dance of the parachicos and the dance Cohuiná.
The folkloric dances arose later, during the time of the miscegenation product of the colonization.
The most outstanding are the Chiapanecas, the torito, the pijuy, the maruncha, the rescapetate, the sleeping child, the tuxtlequita and the cachito.
The 5 typical dances of Chiapas
1- The carnival of San Juan Chamula
The dances of the San Juan Chamula carnival are the ancestral tradition of the Chiapas pride. Its base is the sacred text of the Mayan culture: the Popol Vuh.
The main attraction of the celebration is the dance between commissioners, mayordomos or paxiones, maltajimoles and xionales, accompanied by colorful clothes and local music.
In total there are 13 characters that participate in the representation that links the brotherhood among the indigenous peoples and enriches the cultural mosaic of the region.
2- The bolonchón
It is an indigenous dance characteristic of the Chamulas, a direct descendant of the Maya-quiche that inhabited the highlands of Chiapas and Tabasco. It is also called the dance of the tiger and the serpent.
Such denomination obeys to the fight between these common animals of the region, that is evoked in the movements of the ancestral dance. In current times the tradition has lost its validity.
Now the bolonchón is danced in pairs to the rhythm of any are harmonized by a guitar, a harp and two violins.
3- The dance of the parachicos
This dance is carried out by characters who wear a wooden mask, a serape and a rattle, and dance through the streets to the rhythm of the drum and a reed flute.
On their way the parachicos visit the saints in the churches and dance as an offering.
This tradition in Chiapas is very emotional. In these more than half of the population participate as dancers.
The parachicos are directed by a guide called"el patrón", a citizen recognized as an example of life.
This distinction is transmitted from generation to generation, with the approval of the community.
The dance of the parachicos was recognized by UNESCO in 2010 as Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
4- The Chiapanecas
This original, colorful and cheerful dance is an unmistakable characteristic symbol of Chiapas folklore. It originated in San Cristóbal de las Casas in 1932.
It became known nationally in 1935 in the exhibition organized by the Ministry of Public Education called"Así es Chiapas".
In January, during the celebration of the big party, the parachicos are accompanied by the Chiapanecs during their tours through the streets.
Together they do the"chamarreo", a dance in which the parachicos court the Chiapacorceñas with gentle movements made with their serape.
The costume of Chiapas, of Spanish influence, is delicately crafted and embroidered by the artisans of the region and represents the typical regional costume of Chiapas.
It is accompanied by a handmade hand-painted jícara carried by the women during the dance in representation of the artisanal and natural wealth of the state.
5- The bull
This dance of religious pagan origin is held in Chiapa de Corzo during the month of January. With this dance of honor to San Sebastián. The dance represents the African bullfighting festival.
During their execution the pairs are conformed by a torito and a parachico, and they imitate bullfighting to the beat of 6 specific sones:
- The son of the arrival.
- Reverence to fight.
- They're from the parachico.
- Zapateado del torito.
- They're from María Angulo.
- They are from withdrawal.
References
- Typical dances Chiapanecas. (July 28, 2015). In: mexicatours.wordpress.com
- Carnivals of San Juan Chamula and Huistán: Chiapas. (s.f.) Retrieved on November 14, 2017 from: pueblosmexico.com.mx
- Chiapas (July 2007). In: artesmexico.org
- Dance of the Parachicos. (s.f.) Retrieved on November 14, 2017 from: danzasmexicanas.com
- López, S. (January 9, 2013). The Parachicos and the Chiapanecas. In: todochiapas.mx