Mexican culture is vibrant and rich, expressed through numerous art forms, including its captivating dances. Within these dances, every element of costume tells a story, and today, we’ll delve into a fascinating detail: Mexican Dancing Boots. While often overlooked, these boots are essential to the performance and aesthetic of various Mexican dances, particularly in traditions like the Dance of the Huehues.
To truly understand the role of mexican dancing boots, let’s journey to the Sierra de Puebla region of Mexico and explore the Dance of the Huehues, a compelling example where these boots take center stage. This dance, performed in villages like Xonalpú, Puebla, as captured in photographs from 2010, is a spectacle of masked characters and symbolic actions, all brought to life by dancers wearing distinct attire, including notable dance boots.
Huehues dancers in Xonalpú, Puebla procession
In the photograph above, taken during a fiesta honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe, we witness Huehues dancers leading a procession. Observe the dancer on the far left, adorned with a female Huehue mask, and the Payaso (clown) next to her. Both figures are wearing distinctive mexican dancing boots, sometimes referred to as jodhpur boots. These boots are not merely footwear; they are integral to the dancer’s persona and movement within the dance. The image also reveals a Male Huehue dancer to the right, further emphasizing the presence of these specialized boots within the Huehues tradition. Behind them, more Payasos and Male Huehues continue the procession, alongside women bearing offerings and Negritos dancers.
The Dance of the Huehues is more than just a procession. It unfolds into theatrical performances within a designated space marked by “el telón,” a curtained enclosure. A central bamboo pole stands tall, symbolizing the cornfields and becoming the stage for symbolic acts.
Telón and bamboo pole in Huehues dance performance area
Within this setting, characters like the Tejón (a coati or similar animal) and the Chénchere (woodpecker) are represented. The Tejón, a crop-raiding animal, is symbolically hunted by the Tejoneros (farmers), with a clown or Huehue often enacting the “kill” using a popgun. A Perro (dog) character assists in this symbolic hunt. Interestingly, the curtain itself, “el telón,” often features paintings depicting these very actions, blurring the lines between performance and backdrop.
Chénchere puppet in the Dance of the Huehues
The Chénchere, or woodpecker, adds another layer to the symbolism. This puppet, with an articulated neck, ascends the bamboo pole, representing a mythical woodpecker that aided a boy god in providing corn to humanity. The intricate mechanics of the puppet, with ropes and rubber tubing controlling its pecking motion, highlight the detailed craftsmanship within this dance tradition.
Returning to the dancers’ attire, observe the mexican dancing boots worn by the female clown and Perro in the following image.
Female clown and Perro characters showcasing dance boots
These particular dancers, despite wearing Caucasian masks, are actually Totonac Indians, and their masks were crafted by Andrés Juárez García. This detail underscores how masks and costumes, including mexican dancing boots, contribute to character portrayal that transcends simple representation. The boots ground the performance, allowing for the energetic movements and steps that are characteristic of the Dance of the Huehues.
Female Payaso triumphantly carrying the Tejón carcass
In this image, a female Payaso proudly carries the Tejón carcass, a symbolic representation of the hunt’s success. Again, her mexican dancing boots are visible, a consistent element in the attire of key characters in this dance. The magnificent ear detail on her mask is also noteworthy, demonstrating the artistry present in all aspects of the costume.
Beyond the masked dancers and symbolic actions, puppets also play a significant role in the Dance of the Huehues. Figures like San José and the Virgin María, manipulated from behind the curtain, add another dimension to the performance.
Puppets of San José and Virgin María
These puppets, often referred to as the “Dueños” or masters of the dance, are believed to represent pre-conquest gods or forest spirits. Their presence further enriches the dance’s layers of meaning and historical context.
Puppet details showing hand manipulation
Puppet construction with cloth smock
The construction of these puppets is itself an art. Each puppet, with a torso and articulated arms, is brought to life by a puppeteer’s skilled finger movements, allowing them to clap and gesture expressively.
While the Dance of the Huehues features these prominent characters, there are also more ambiguous figures, such as El Viejo and el Pájaro. El Viejo, or “the old man,” is a character with a wooden mask, horsehair beard, and ragged clothing, embodying a complex figure that can also be referred to as “the devil” or Satan.
Viejo mask from the Dance of the Huehues
Side view of Viejo mask showing ear design
Although El Viejo was not observed in recent performances, historical records and films like Bruce “Pacho” Lane’s “The Tree of Knowledge” (1981) document his presence and antics within the dance. The mask of El Viejo, like all masks in this tradition, is a carefully crafted piece of folk art.
Back view of Viejo mask
The mask’s construction and even its state of wear offer insights into the character’s role and history within the dance.
Another enigmatic figure is el Pájaro, the bird. While less documented, a Pájaro mask, believed to be from Tuxtla, Puebla, around 1975, suggests the potential presence of a bird character in the Dance of the Huehues.
Pájaro mask from Tuxtla
Side view of Pájaro mask
Front view of Pájaro mask
Whether representing a cornfield marauder, a woodpecker, or a figure from Carnaval, the Pájaro mask adds to the dance’s mystique and the ongoing questions surrounding its full cast of characters.
In conclusion, mexican dancing boots are far more than just footwear in traditions like the Dance of the Huehues. They are an integral part of the costume, contributing to the character’s identity and enabling the dynamic movements of the dance. Exploring these boots provides a fascinating entry point into understanding the rich symbolism and artistry embedded within Mexican dance traditions, inviting us to appreciate the depth and complexity of Mexican cultural expression.
