Koujpapataninij. The Voladores dance, Maseual time and territory

Abstract

The Voladores Dance is a Prehispanic dance which has survived for more than ten centuries. In the Sierra Norte de Puebla (Mexico) this dance plays an important role among the Maseual and Totonaku peoples. Seeds, plants, animals, water, fire and all whcih is given to us, Maseualmej, is kept in Talokan. There stands the Tree of Life, there also are our roots. We cannot go to Talokan : therefore we make the ritual in the space which is left to us, on Taltikpak (‘the face of the earth’). Here it is where we make offerings to the Tree of Life (through the Palo de Volador) so that we shall not be short of water.