page_title: Folk dance of Mexico
section_title: Chiapas
hierarchical_section_title: Folk dance of Mexico / Dances in Southern Mexico / Chiapas
caption_attribution_description: Uno de los artículos más leídos y publicados de la obra de José Félix Zavala dentro de la microhistoria, fue publicado por la Revista de Revistas de Excelsior, por la Revista de la Frontera Sur y le valió el premio a la Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas y ha sido traducido a diferentes lenguas, principalmente el Inglés y el Francés.
context_page_description: Folk dance of Mexico, commonly known as baile folklorico, is a term used to collectively describe traditional Mexican dances. Ballet folklórico is not just one type of dance, it encompasses each region's traditional dance that has been influenced by their local folklore and has been entwined with ballet characteristics to be made into a theatrical production. Each dance represents a different region in Mexico illustrated through their different zapateado, footwork, having differing stomps or heel toe points, and choreography that imitates animals from their region such as horses, iguanas, and vultures.
context_section_description: The dance of the Parachicos is the “Great Feast” in January each year in Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas. For several weeks, these dances take to the streets each day to honor a number of Catholic saints, especially Saint Sebastian. The dancers wear carved wooden masks, with a headdress made of ixtle, a serape, embroidered shawl and multicolored ribbons, carrying maracas. They are led by a “patron) who carries a guitar and a whip, and plays the flute; while the drummers provide rhythm. The dance has been named an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity . Cochino (pig) is named after a pig's head which is decorated and carried as part of the event. The head is decorated with flowers and rolls of colored paper, paper birds, rag dolls, and candies. The mouth holds a roll with the name of the person who well receive the head. The head is carried on a large, decorated platter by women who dance and smack their lips to indicate how delicious the animal is.
caption: Parachicos
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