Is Mexican dance originated from Mexico? I’m not sure, let’s read it! Everything has its history, and Mexican dance has with its ancient traditions, colonial influences, and the creativity of the modern generation. Mexican dancing is considered to represent the culture’s beating heart.
It is full of movements, life stories, and histories of Mexican dance, and how can we forget about expressing deep emotions with Mexican dance?
In this pop world, we all want to tap our feet to Mexican dance, which has a rich cultural heritage. Let’s explore the colorful, passionate world of Mexican dance with this read!
What is Mexican Dance?
Mexican dance deeply originated from Mexico’s rich cultural diversity. It includes a wide range of traditional and folkloric dance styles with elements of European, African, and more. Every element serves as an expression of cultural identity, pride, and celebration.
You know the best part of Mexican dance is that it is performed on live music, mostly at festivals, cultural events, and national holidays. Mexican dance is not all about movements; it is more about incorporating the spirit and traditions of specific regions.
History of Mexican Dance
Have you ever seen Jarabe Tapatio at a fiesta? Or heard the rhythmic beats of a Ranchera echoing in a Mexican town square? There’s no denying the power and beauty of Mexican dance. It’s a blend of traditional roots from Spain, Africa, Europe, and Asia, and it has evolved over centuries with its roots from pre-Hispanic Mexico.
Thus, you got your answer. Mexican dance roots are immersed in Mexico, but it’s a fusion of every part of the world. Like every other dance, this dance is also known as a ritual, performed to honor God on special occasions, celebrate the harvest, and more.
From 16th-18th Century
At the start, these dances used traditional instruments like drums and flutes. Still, in the 16th century, they began incorporating European elements and other instruments like guitar, violin, and more. Not only did instruments start blending, but even the dances, Spanish Flamenco, and European courts started building with Indigenous movements. With this fusion, the one of the Mexican dance styles Jarabe Tapatio, also known as Mexican Hat Dance, emerged as the national identity.
This fusion continues with the African influence of drumming and rhythmic movements, as seen in regional dances like Son Jarocho from Veracruz and Danza de los Diablos in the Southern States.
In the 19th and 20th centuries…..
Mexican dance was known as a source of national pride and cultural preservation. Nowadays, Mexican dance styles like Folklórico and Ballet Mexicano show their colorful and diverse spirit on the world stage.
In the 21st century…
Contemporary Mexican dance often blends classical ballet, hip-hop, and modern dance, creating innovative expressions of Mexican culture. This has gained international recognition, and all thanks go to social media and global dance festival platforms.
Mexican Dance Styles
1. Jarabe Tapatio, Jalisco
An excellent folk dance originated in the 19th century in Jalisco. It is said to be the “ National Dance of Mexico” and an international symbol of Mexico. Costume plays an important role in folk dances, and Jarabe Tapatio’s costumes are very convincing. The women wore brightly colored bows and ribbons. On the other hand, men wear charro suits with buttons on the sides of their pants, black boots, and a charro hat. If you haven’t seen this folk dance, no worries—check it out here.
2. Polka Norteña, Northern States of Mexico
The Polka dance originated in Europe, where Germans immigrated to America between the north of Mexico and the South of the USA. Women do this with shirts and skirts with ribbons around them of a single color. On the other hand, men used to wear jeans or cowboy pants, a northern hat, and cowboy boots. Check the complete dance here.
3. La Bamba, Veracruz
This folkloric dance is known for its instruments, such as harp, marimba, guitar, and more. Some of the other dance styles of Veracruz are La Bruja and Colás. But La Bamba is known as the “Hymn of Veracruz” and is internally famous. See here and enjoy the joy, energy, and rich traditions of this coastal region.
4. Flor de Piña, Oaxaca
This dance is as beautiful as its city of origin, Oaxaca. This dance form’s meaning is the pineapple flower, which brings movement and meaning within itself. It’s one of those dances you can’t help but smile at as it radiates joy, tradition, and community. In terms of clothing, women used to wear huipiles in different designs or shapes and bright colors.
Interestingly, they carry pineapples as a symbol of fertility, hospitality, and connection to the land. Check out the dance form here.
5. Los Viejitos, Michoacán
In Mexico, another popular dance is the “Dance of the Old Men.” Jarácuaro was the town where it first appeared. A special dance for the older men with their Michoacan costume – a white cloth or blanket pants over this, they wear a serape and perform on special occasions like New Year, Christmas, and Candelaria Day. Check out their beautiful costumes and dance moves here.
6. Dance of the Deer, Sonora
This dance is practiced by the Mayo Indians when hunting deer. They admire deer with the help of instruments like flutes and a water drum. Three characters are included in this dance: deer, pascola, and coyote. All three have different costumes, from ribbons to leather loincloths or tied handkerchiefs and a hat. See this beautiful dance style here.
Top Artists of Mexican Dance
You already dig deeper with the history and Mexican dance styles, now it’s the time to look for the best Mexican dance artists who take this folk dance and its evolution all across the world. Here are just 4 of them:
1. Amalia Hernández
Amalia is the one behind grewing the love and styles of Mexican dance worldwide. She was born in 1917 in Mexico city, and was known as the cultural icon to the origin of Ballet Folklórico. She started composing choregraphies with a few people known as Moderno de México.
Ballet Folklórico de Mexico was chosen as a Mexican government representation for cultural travels to foreign countries after performing well at the Pan-American Games in Chicago.
In 1952, she also founded Ballet Folklórico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández, the world’s largest and most famous dance company. Ballet Folklórico de Mexico was chosen as a Mexican government representation for cultural travels to foreign nations after performing well in the Pan-American Games in Chicago.
2. Elisa Carrillo
Elisa is known as the top name in the Mexican classical ballet community. She was born in 1981 in the state of Mexico and did her study from Mexican National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature.She joined Stuttgart Ballet in 1999 as a corps de ballet member and rose to the level of soloist by 2007. Her performances in popular ballets like Romeo and Julient, Sleeping Beauty and more were universally beloved.
3. Vicente Romero
Mexico is full of Flamenco dancers; most of them must be Vincente Romero. But the fact is, he is not from Mexico, Vicente was a native of Santa Fe, California and from a young age, he wanted to learn Spanish. Many people give him the title ” Grandfather of Flamenco” in New Mexico.
4. Isaac Hernández
A part of a younger wave of Mexican dancers and proved perfectly on the world stage. Firstly, he was leading principal for the English National Ballet. He started his dancer career at the age of 8, which is the reason behind her perfection in Mexican dance. He performed in the sleeping Beauty as Prince Désiré. In this performance, he was elevated to lead dancer of the Dutch National Ballet in 2012!
Summing Up Words
Mexican dancing embodies the essence of Mexico’s history, culture, and people. Now, you have an idea of where it originates; yes, it is from Mexico, but it emerged as a fusion of multiple continents from Spain to Africa and more. This fusion is a perfect blend of movement, music, and storytelling.
Mexican dance, popularity all over the world, is dedicated to the best of artists like
Amalia Hernández, Elisa Carrillo, and Isaac Hernández . They’ve served these traditions beautifully. Now, whenever you hear of Mexican dance, every artist, music, and instrument used will be remembered beautifully. It’s time to celebrate the rich culture with traditional Mexican dance.
