Taking a stroll along Puerto Vallarta’s enchanting Malecon boardwalk is a favorite pastime of both locals and tourists alike. Situated in the city’s downtown core, this idyllic waterfront strip contains a delightful variety of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, boutiques and a spectacular collection of sculptures that provide lots of opportunity for photo shoots. One of the most impressive things you will discover on the Malecon, however, is the unique performances of the Voladores de Papantla (Flyers of Papantla) who fly far above the ground as they take part in a ceremonial ritual for all to see.
Puerto Vallarta’s Flying Pole Dancers
Near the north end of the Malecon is a tall pole upon which these skilled artists perform a captivating ritual many times each day, 7 days a week. Dressed in gorgeous traditional outfits that feature vibrant embroidery, they perform a distinctive dance as they orbit the pole. Five voladores (also known as birdmen) ascend the pole to begin the ceremonial ritual, waiting until the group’s master spinner climbs to the top center of the pole where he starts to play a mesmerizing tune on his flute. The four remaining voladores all have one foot securely tied to a rope that is attached to the top of the pole.
Upside-down Descent
When the dance commences, the four voladores slowly begin an upside-down descent to the ground, during which they spiral around and perform a “dance” as the rope unwinds 13 times. The master spinner continues to play his song from the top of the pole until the dancers reach the Earth once more. Watching this hypnotizing tradition unfold right before your eyes is something you will never forget.
The history behind this spectacle
Mexican folklore declares that this sacred ceremony goes back hundreds of years to a time when central Mexico was hit with a terrible drought that brought hunger and suffering to the indigenous natives. They believed that the gods were refusing to grant the area rain because the people had ignored them for too long. This ceremony was established as a way to gain favor with the gods who could end the drought and replenish the land with crucial rainwater.
Searching for a towering tree in the forest, five young men cut down the tallest one they could find and removed its branches (upon receiving permission from the mountain god), then dragged it back to the village. There, they positioned the tree trunk into the soil which made an early version of a pole. Outfitting themselves in bird-like costumes, the young men ascended the tree trunk hoping the gods would notice them. One played a sweet melody from the top of the pole while the other four jumped from it. This was said to satisfy the gods, who ended the drought by allowing the rain to return to the land.
UNESCO
As an important cultural ritual within Mexico, UNESCO has recognized the dance as an intangible cultural heritage in order to safeguard its practice and help it continue for generations to come.
When you visit Puerto Vallarta, make it a point to see the city’s Voladores de Papantla as they perform this sensational ritual for an experience like nothing you have ever witnessed before.
