The band played in that slightly off-key, repetitive beat so evocative of Mexican village life and so mesmerizing. This was my first introduction to the Chinelo dancers of Morelos and ever since I have been fascinated with this colorful spectacle. The dance itself is called the brincon or jump, and the choreography is exceedingly simple. With feet apart and knees slightly bent, the dancers take two shuffling steps, and then leading with their shoulder, take a little jump to the left or the right. Around and around the plaza they go.
People join in and drop out but the troop continues to dance, while the band plays on.
This could well be the original hip-hop. Most Chinelos are young men - one needs to be young as this is tiring. After two hours, the band and the dancers change but the dance itself continues, sometimes into the early hours of the morning. Chinelo dancing is always accompanied by a brass band. Live music is an essential part of every Mexican festivity and the local brass band is an integral part of every Mexican community.