Mexican Dancing: Chinelos

When a nation is conquered, cultures blend

When a nation is conquered, cultures blend. It's a natural consequence of ramming two societies together in a relatively confined space. The local population, encouraged (or forced) to take on foreign traditions as their own, will develop their own unique interpretations and create something entirely new. In the case of Mexico, the Spanish conquest of the 16th century resulted in several unique celebrations that arose from a corruption of Catholic rituals. Case in point are the Chinelos dancers from the state of Morelos.

The Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica in the 16th century gave rise to the Chinelos dancing tradition. As the Catholic Europeans began to impose their religion and traditions on the local indigenous people, many natives came up with their own versions of certain rituals. This included Carnival, the circus-like festival held just before Lent in which people would parade around with masks, colorful costumes, and topsy-turvy role reversals. For the locals, newly under Spanish rule, this was their chance to mock European mannerisms and dress - the over-elaborate clothing, beards, salon dancing, and gloved hands.

The modern Chinelos costume was developed in the mid-1800s and early 1900s, making fun of the aristocrats involved in the French Intervention and President Porfirio Diaz's attempts to make Mexico more "European". The ritualized dance was developed in the tiny state of Morelos, where there were a large number of sugar plantations in the 19th century; the workers became increasingly impoverished as the foreign hacienda owners became wealthier and wealthier, and the workers vented their frustrations by mocking their overlords. The Chinelo dancers are an official symbol of Morelos, and it boasts the highest number of Chinelos dance troupes in the country. Dancers traditionally perform at Carnival each year, but dancers will also show up for other events; for many people, a festival is not complete without them. The tradition quickly spread through the south of Mexico, and became popular in places like Mexico City, Guerrero, and Cuernavaca.

Today, a basic Chinelos costume is made up of three main parts: a mask, a plumed hat, and a long flowing robe with a cape. The costume masks have European eyes, upturned beards, and rouged cheeks, while the clothes are fancifully adorned in girlish styles. The overall effect is complete androgyny; the identity of the dancers are kept secret. Costumes are guarded carefully and members of a dance troupe will get dressed in various places in order to maintain confusion as to who might be under the mask. Costumes this elaborate come with a price tag: they range from 4,000 to 10,000 pesos each, depending on the complexity of the entire ensemble.

Dancers conform to a very basic choreography. They stand with their legs apart and their knees slightly bent; they shuffle twice, and then jump from one foot to the other, leading with the shoulder. This choreography has been passed down for generations, a corruption of the local perception of European dances. Most dancers are young men, as the costumes are very restrictive, hot, and heavy; being a dancer is a family tradition, and it is common for families to be a part of Chinelos dance group generation after generation.

by: Robert Nickel

POST COMMENT

Ovdi Do You Know Your Options Three Surefire Ways To Move Past A Break Up The Best Choice Vortex Cooler Crestor - Improve Your Blood Vessel Condition! 3g Star N9770 Cell Phone How Sugar Empowers Organizations? Why Tech Blog Are Important? How To Help Someone With Substance Addiction Guide To Determine Influences Of Alcoholism The Scientist Claimed: Eat 40% Less Every Day Can Let You Live 20 Years Longer. Efficient Drug Intervention Programs Lose 129 Pounds In 90 Days With Lida Daidaihua What Does A Vehicle Inspection Check Involve?