Mexican tradicional dances has been existed before the conquire and survived until today, despite the Spanish tried to do away with it. This because the dances had deep roots in the life of the Mexicans who, by the years, have given to this traditions new religious meanings.
Here, we are going to write about one of these dances, “La Danza de los Viejitos”, the Old Men Dance from the State of Michoacán. It’s known that it’s existing since the pre-Hispanic times, when it was a ritual to give honor to the “Old God” or the “God of Fire”. Men are dressed with white Clothes, wooden shoes and many colors (representing the “Purépecha” people), wearing also a mask with an appearance of an old man and walk with a stick on the hand. They starts moving slowly than step by step faster, following the music, while them wooden shoes makes each step they take much more impactful. These dresses were used by local people during Christmas, New Year Eve and Candelaria day. The traditional instruments used are usually stringed, in particular violins, but the drums and instruments of breath are used too.
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