[Sonora–Yaqui | Nayarit and Michoacán]

Mexican regional dance is comprised of dances from social settings in villages and cities, from different parts of Mexico, which have been adapted for the stage. Over the last 40 years, dance instructors have arranged some of the most popular dances from each region for the stage. Each folkloric group is usually capable of performing dances from several regions.

Sonora: Yaqui Indian

People Like Me 2002: Face to Face! features Danza del Venado - Dance of the Deer - presented by Ensambles Ballet Folklorico (online at www.ensambles.com). This is one of the most popular among the traditional Mexican dances, and is one of the least altered. The Yaqui Indians from the state of Sonora and Sinaloa continue to execute this dance in a way that is believed to be almost identical to the way it was performed before the arrival of the Spanish.

The Yaqui and Mayo tribes are native to the Northwest Mexican highlands, and are the creators of some of the most beautiful and spectacular Mexican folk dances. Under the generic title of "Pascolas," these dances are performed in Sonora, the Bacatete Sierra, and in a town called Tehueco in Sinaloa. This elegant and profound dance symbolizes the struggle between good and evil, through a confrontation between a sacred deer and aggressive coyotes and hunters, bringing to mind parallels of cultural, philosophical, and spiritual struggles as well.

The deer dancer wears a tall mask / headpiece with large antlers, and the movements of the graceful and noble deer are beautiful and poignant in the expression of freedom. With elegant jumps, turns of the head, and proud body movement, the life of the deer is recounted; traveling through the forest, jumping into the air, grazing in the meadows and meeting the hunter.

The deer soon senses danger as the coyotes draw near, and the dancer's movements and rhythm suddenly change. The sounds made by the rattles and objects trimming the deer dancer's garments, and musical instruments, suggest the noises of the forest. The course of this performance is traditionally accompanied by a metaphoric commentary, chanted by an old man of the tribe.

Two coyotes enter the scene wearing masks covering one side of their faces. Around the waist is a thick leather belt with bells attached; the legs are wrapped in a rebozo, sarape or robe secured with leather straps, and the trouser legs are edged with strings of tiny rattles made of butterfly cocoons filled with pebbles. To accompany the coyotes, the musicians traditionally used string instruments of European origin, violins and a harp. The musicians were saluted by the coyote characters as beings of superior social standing. By contrast, the instruments that accompany the deer are purely indigenous drums and a five-tone reed flute. The musicians receive no special respect from the deer who is the holy animal of the people.

Nayarit and Michoacán

In 2000, People Like Me featured 3 groups performing Mexican regional dance: Cascada de Flores, Esperanza del Valle, and Ensambles Ballet Folklorico de San Francisco. Each of these companies performed dances from different regions. To look at a map, and find links to more information about each region's dance, check out http://www.alegria.org/rgndance.html .

Esperanza del Valle performed risky bottle balancing dances from the region of Nayarit, in our San Jose public performance. Many dances are used to show off the special skill of the dancer, and this large group will be truly spectacular!

Also in 2000, for our school shows, Cascada de Flores and Ensambles Ballet Folklorico performed dances from the State of Michoacán, part of the "Región Bajía," (lowland region) of México. Michoacán is a region of plains, lakes and mountains, which lies along the southwest coast of Mexico along the Pacific Ocean. The region of Michoacán was known as the Tarascan Empire prior to the 16^th century Spanish exploration and conquest of North America. Michoacán, a land of beautiful, sunny weather, was immediately settled by the newcomers, which explains how these "Sones" are "mestizos," (mixed in origin: Spanish/Indigenous).

In our San Jose shows, Cascada de Flores (translated as Waterfall of flowers) presented a humble "sprinkle" of dance and song from the enormously beautiful P'urhepecha area in the state of Michoacán. The P'urhepecha people, who inhabit the northern region, are cradled in the mountains surrounding Lake Patzcuaro. The P’urhepecha celebrate their life with Abajeños (Fast tempo in 6/8 time) and poetic Pirekuas, based on the beauty of the nature which surrounds them and sustains them.

Cascada de Flores presented a medley that consists of a song (Pirekua) and two dances: La Danza de Los Viejitos (Dance of the old men), which was also danced with masks, and Los Sembradores (those who sow seeds). La Pirekua (which means canción in Spanish, song in English) is the poetic expression of the P'urhepecha people, appreciating the beauty that surrounds them and gives them life. They are interpreted by the Pirericha (singers), singing solo or in duet, in harmonies of thirds or sixths, and are generally accompanied by guitars. Here is an example of a Pirekua translated into English, Nana Chuchita, which praises this giver of life: Maria Chuchita:

La Danza de los Viejitos is an ancient tradition of the P'urepecha. It is "the dance of the little old men" that was done even before the Spanish arrived to México. There are hundreds of regional variations of this dance! It is usually performed by the youth, who imitate older people with very humorous movements and masks, dancing heavy, fairly difficult footwork while bending over, using a cane. Of course, as dancers, they are not making fun of older people, but honoring them. In México, elders are the center of the community; people go to them when they have difficulties, and appreciate them for their wisdom and experience. This dance is a way for the youth to show their respect.

The instruments used for these Abajeños are the Violin, the guitar or vihuela (a smaller, higher-pitched guitar) and bass, all of which demonstrate Spanish influence. It could be said that the Huaraches, which are the sandals that the dancers wear, are musical instruments as well, since the footwork is an absolutely essential part of this music. However, though the musical instruments are influenced by the Spanish, the sandals, the dance, the mask, the humor and vitality are ancient, and purely P'urhepecha.

Los Sembradores (those who sow seeds), inspired by Maestro Rafael Zamarripa, is an artistic interpretation of one of the most important elements of life in Michoacán: working the earth, planting, harvesting. The movements of the dance depict the planting of the seed, joy in the work of the community, and the beauty of simplicity.

Ensambles Ballet Folklorico de San Francisco performed dances from the warm and tropical region of Apatzingan, where the folk songs and dances ideally celebrate their happiness, and a deep connection to life and nature.

The dances and songs they presented are "Sonajas" (rattle dances), Jarabes or Jarabillos, and Diana, which are all known as Sones antiguos de Michoacán, (Old traditional songs of Michoacán). The scenes that we see in these sones antiguos are based on the celebration of the harvest, joy and thanksgiving for the work that has been completed. This explains the dancers' motives for their movements expressing gladness and freedom. These dances and music could be witnessed during the celebration to the "Virgin de Acahuato," the patron saint, celebrated on February 2, or during the feria de Apatzingán. Sones antiguos de Michoacán have sounds and footwork called zapateo influenced by the jota and sarabanda from Spain. The zapateo is done by stamping the feet in time with the music. The jarabes also contain descansos (rests) in the music and dance, at which time the music slows down and the zapateo is replaced by walking gracefully in time with the music. For stage and choreographic purposes, the walking is done by more elaborate movements of the body, including faldeo (skirt movements), with barefoot girls in swirling skirts keeping time to the lilting melodies.