Puerto Vallarta: The Flying Pole Dancers

Among the many things one can see and experience along the Malecon of Puerto Vallarta is the exhibition of Flying Pole Dance, which in one article I read is a rain dance. I cannot find the source of that article anymore. But here's what wikipedia has to day about it:

The Flying Men Dance ( Spanish: Danza del Volador or Palo Volador) is a ceremonial dance practiced in various places within the Mesoamerican cultural region, including Tulum and Papantla in Mexico and Chichicastenango in Guatemala. Five men wearing traditional clothing climb for this dance up a pole which is usually 100 feet from the ground. One man climbs on the very top of the pole and plays drums and other musical instruments to make music. The other four fasten a rope around their place and spin around exactly 13 rotations. When the man in the middle start with the music, the other four men jump simultaneously and spiralize slowly down to the ground at their ropes. At this time they should be almost and ground level.

In Maya mythology the creation of the world is associated with a mythical bird deity (Itzamna) residing at the World Tree (the center of the world). Five "birdmen" at the top of a pole represent bird deities. The main dancer stands in the center and plays a flute, which represents the sound of birds singing. The four other "birdmen" (representing the four directions) spin around the pole to represent the recreation of the world (and the regeneration of life)

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Part of the crowd.
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In between performances. Tips are encouraged :)

Here's a little video that we took of the performance.

This is my entry for this week's MY WORLD (#126).  Show your world.

P.S.   -  Preparing for this post took an interesting turn.  When I googled information about this I only remembered this dance as POLE DANCE.  So imagine the results that google came up with when I put those two words in the window.  Be careful what you research :)

Comments

  1. This is a very interesting 'dance'. I enjoyed both your photos and your video. It must have been quite an experience to see it in person.

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  2. oh man, parang cirque du soleil in the park! hehe

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  3. I have seen this before at another blog, Maria, and find it to be most fascinating. I can imagine the thrill of it, not only for you seeing it but for them doing it!

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  4. yikes so scary but they're sooo amazing. ang taas ng pole grabe

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  5. Wow, the shots of the pole dancers are amazing. Very interesting information too.

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  6. Beautiful post, I've enjoyed very much the video too.

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  7. What a fabulous world! Great captures too:)

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  8. Oh my goodness, it's kind of scary to watch. (Yeah, I do have a fear of heights.)

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  9. I do love Puerto Vallarta and what a fun even to watch!! You got some really terrific captures! So colorful and such beautiful skies! Awesome post for the day! Hope your fun continues!! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

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  10. wow, that's quite a dizzying feat. novices would probably be vomiting a lot.

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  11. Interesting isn't it? Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  12. wow! you're so lucky to have visited so many countries.i hope one day i'll be able to visit mexico

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  13. That looks like an amazing (and scary) dance!

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  14. I wouldn't mind visiting your world again! We were there once years ago. Lovely pictures and video as well.

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  15. This is something new. So interesting and fascinating.

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  16. Interesting and quite calming to watch, actually. Re the Pole dancing thing... yep! :-)

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  17. I love traditions such as this. & you have captured it nicely too.
    I'm sorry about your search results, I imagine it was a frightening experience.

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  18. wow this is amazing! sana makakita din ako nito one time!

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  19. ha ha
    this kind of pole dance was much more culturally interesting :)

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  20. Wow! Your world is so very interesting this Tuesday! Lovely pic.. @ flying men dance!

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  21. that looks fascinating but scary at the same time. i enjoy all your photos and the video.

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  22. Fantastic shots of flying pole dancers.

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  23. whoa! one mistake means death or serious injury.

    thanks for including a video. lead me to check other videos in youtube.

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  24. Wow - astounding shots and what an amazing dance!

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  25. WOW! What a spectacular performance!

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  26. Wow! That's one hell of a spectacle and not to be missed! You did a great job capturing the essence of them and their performance!

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  27. Wow, that's a daring act.. I like the look of the sky.
    Thanks for sharing

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  28. google can be so informative at times. ^0^
    but this was certainly a great and breathtaking performance.
    even just by looking at your fotos can't help but feel scared for them. haha.

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  29. This is amazing! I've watched them in Mexico City.

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