Danza de los Voladores de Papantla

The El Paso Museum of Archaeology Presents

A Special Event for El Paso: Danza de los Voladores de Papantla | Dance of Papantla’s Flyers

The renowned Voladores de Papantla from the state of Veracruz, Mexico, who are famous for their daring performances which take place high above the ground, are coming to the El Paso Museum of Archaeology on August 3rd. A group of five Totonac Indians perform a ritualistic dance atop a 70 foot high pole. One stays at the top playing a flute and drum while the remaining four descend to the ground head first with the aid of ropes tied around their bodies.  The ropes unwind 13 times for each of the four flyers as they circle the pole, symbolizing the 52 year calendrical cycle.

Due to this unique all day event, the museum and grounds will be open only for this event from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for the very low entry fee of $5.00 per person (free to children age 6 and under).  This fee includes two performances of the Voladores de Papantla one at 10:00 am and one at 2:00 pm, additional entertainment by local music and dance groups, refreshments, and access to the museum’s galleries.  Scheduling of the entertainment and other details will be announced soon.

The dance of the Voladores de Papantla has become characteristic of the Totonac culture of the state of Veracruz and represents part of  Mexico’s national patrimony. The dance is not only remarkable for its uniqueness and preservation of ancient calendrical elements, but also because it has survived into modern times. Over 1,500 people saw the first ever El Paso performances of the Voladores de Papantla in October 2008 at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology.

The Friends of the El Paso Museum of Archaeology are sponsoring this great contribution to El Paso and our regional community.   LEON’S Production Sound’s is the major event sponsor.  Additional sponsors at this time are El Paso Museum of Archaeology, El Paso International Airport, El Paso Electric, the Franklin Mountains Rotary Club, Trans-Pecos Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist, Dr. Richard Teschner and Carol Baker.

Saturday, August 3, 2013, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Museum Location: El Paso Museum of Archaeology,  4301 Transmountain Road, El Paso, Texas 79924 in Northeast El Paso

www.elpasotexas.gov/arch_museum/