Do you understand Spanish? If Yes! You can directly go ahead with the list of Mexican dance styles. If not, start learning Spanish to discover its culture and learn how to move to the rhythm. Mexico is rich in its culture, history, and folkloric dance styles, which represent Mexicans.
Popular Mexican dance styles are quite understandable because of their contagious nature, and the list of Mexican dance styles proves this.
Every Mexican dance has a different significance. Some of them tell incredible stories, while others speak about the beautiful culture of Mexico. Some are simply too crazy not to be seen.
With the content and explanation of Mexican dance styles, you can also see each on YouTube with the links below or read about each in this article! Enjoy some traditional Mexican dances!
Mexican Dance Styles From 16th Century to Now
We hope you know about Mexican dance styles or have heard it from someone’s mouth. Don’t worry, we will delve deeper into these seven popular Mexican dance styles:
- El Jarabe Tapatio
This Mexican dance, also known as the “Mexican hat dance,” was created at the end of the 19th century. It is one of the popular Mexican dance styles involving a gesture of union. This dance includes couples, and each step symbolizes courtship with energetic footwork, circular movements, and colorful costumes. It represents Mexico internationally and is known as the National Dance of Mexico.
The charming song, composed by Jesús González Rubio, has been included in numerous pop culture images of Mexican culture. Perhaps you’ve confused it with “La Raspa,” a different song for a different dance.
2. Polka Norteña
In the 1860s, Emperor Maximilian ruled during the Second Mexican Empire. At that time, European immigrants took the polka and its popular musical instrument (the accordion) to northern Mexico.
The Maximilian empire ended, but the music remained in Mexico. After some time, people started using accordions to play polka with a local twist. This dance is famous among couples. It involves short steps followed by hops or lifts, spins, turns, and quick foot movements. But do you think of how the Polka dance style got to Mexico? People of Mexico started seeing Polka style in the high social class and started to adopt it and give it a very Mexican dance style, check out here.
The costumes follow a more local look, with men wearing cowboy hats, boots, jeans, and more. On the other hand, women wear knee-length dresses with Mexican dancing boots and a slight heel.
3. La Jarana
It is known as a lively dance and is performed during festivals and celebrations. It is normally danced in couples and was born between the 17th and 18th centuries in the Spanish era. The meaning of “Jarana” is a racket or noisy party. On occasion, they wear colorful costumes with a mix of white colors (traditional attire) to enhance the visual spectacle of the dance.
You can see the dance at least once a week in public spaces in Merida, Mexico, the cultural capital of the Yucatan Peninsula. La Jarana is popular for expressing regional identity and union between communities through its energetic rhythms and festive atmosphere.
La Jarana is characterized by its fast tempo, joyful interaction between dancers, and complex footwork. If you’re a beginner, this dance isn’t for you!
4. Danza del Venado
Known as The Deer Dance, it is native to Sonoro and Sinaloa. People used to wear deer-shaped hats with antlers that dramatized the hunt of the deer; overall, they represented a deep respect for nature and the animal kingdom.
This dance uses traditional instruments as a ceremonial plea for human & natural harmony. First, it was performed by hunters, and then this Indigenous dance evolved into a significant cultural expression known for celebrating the renewal of life and interconnectedness of all beings.
5. Parachicos
The dance and dancers that groove during the Fiesta Grande are referred to as Parachicos, and the dance itself is called the traditional January feast of Chiapa de Corzo. This feast is a must-visit place between January 4th and 23rd, when music, dance, handicrafts, and more are celebrated in honor of Catholic saints.
Parachicos was included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2010. It comprises all the spheres of local life and promotes mutual respect among groups, communities, and individuals. From far away, you can see a carved wooden mask and shaking chichines.
6. Quebradita
Quebradita, which translates to “Little Break,” is a Mexican dance that gained popularity in the southwestern region in the 1990s. It involves breaking a wild horse; she and a female dancer’s back bends radiate high energy from each dance move. This is a dance of acrobatics and gymnastics rather than musical rhythmic elements, and it involves more traditional Latin dance styles.
The couple danced on “Technobanda,” a blend of traditional Spanish melodies and electric instruments. What caused the “little break” was the male dancer lowering the female dancer backward to the floor.
7. La Bamba
It is widely recognized as one of the most well-known and characteristic Mexican dance genres, particularly in the lovely state of Veracruz. This dance is styled on the rhythms of harp, marimba, guitar, and other instruments. It is also known as the “Hymn of Veracruz” because its rhythm and choreography are unidentifiable. This dance is a mixture of Spanish and Cuban dance styles.
While performing La Bamba, women used to wear a long, wavy skirt decorated with lace. They mostly wear white costumes and an embroidered silk shawl worn over their blouses. For accessories, women wear bracelets, large earrings, and appealing gold necklaces. They also wear a high bun decorated with colored flowers.
As for the men, they wear white pants and a shirt, a long-sleeved guayabera, white boots, and a hat made of palm.
Those are the pride of Jarochos!
Wondering what Jarochos means? Here it is. Nowadays, this term has lost its meaning, but earlier, it was used for country people or all the inhabitants of the state of Veracruz regardless of their occupation.
8. Salsa
Salsa, a dance that everyone knows, has held its roots in Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Cuba since the 1960s. The entire salsa dance step is performed in just two bars every eight beats, while salsa music is composed with four beats each measure. The left foot will be measured first, and the right foot will be measured second.
A leader, often a male, and a follower, typically a woman, are present. The leader holds the follower’s right hand while placing his left hand on the woman’s back as they begin in a closed posture, facing one another. A lot of salsa Dance moves are centered on the hips, legs, and feet. You should always be loose and fluid when dancing, and you should listen carefully to the beats.
9. Cha Cha Cha
One of the most popular dances taught at dance schools across the world is the cha cha. There are twists, turns, and slides that will definitely give you a thrill, along with little steps that are modeled by some aspects of the mambo and rumba. and a spin on the dance floor, of course.
This dance has its origins in Havana’s Afro-Cuban community. American jazz and rumba music were combined to create a distinctive fusion when U.S. big bands toured the island and the well-known clubs. Today, this style is referred to as the rumba.
Similar to the rumba, the cha cha has its origins in Havana’s Afro-Cuban population. The city was filled with thrilling clubs, and big bands from the U.S. mainland found their way in. They created a distinctive blend of American jazz and rumba music that became known as the mambo.
Connect to Mexican Culture
So, we have presented the best of 9 Mexican dance styles to connect with the local culture of Mexico. It’s time to learn Mexican dance or visit with your friends to see the accurate picture of Mexican dance styles and to try out some of the moves yourself.
