Chinelos
chinelos kind traditional costumed dancer popular mexican state morelos part state mexico federal district mexico city especially borough milpa alta xochimilco tradition arose blending indigenous catholic tradition notably carnival permission masked mock chinelos mock european european mannerism colonial period end th century chinelos tradition strongest morelos especially around carnival chinelos appear festivity independence day celebration private party word chinelos derived nahuatl word zineloquie mean disguised dance one many develop spanish conquest native tradition rite blended christian festival one carnival tradition wearing mask role reversal anonymity behavior normally tolerated dance developed mockery european fine clothing beard fair skin mannerism modern chinelos costume began take shape mid th century early th elaborate dress gloved hand uptilted beard arrogant stance also make fun salon dancing upper class period french intervention well porfirio díaz’s attempt “europeanize” mexico end th century dance developed state morelos part state mexico part federal district mexico city generally south even far municipality taxco guerrero best known carnival dancer mexico morelos group dance became developed state morelos th century home number sugar cane hacienda made great fortune owner left worker impoverished four large municipality state whose history extend back prehispanic period famous chinelos tlayacapan tepoztlán yautepec jiutepec town tlayacapan probably modern format chinelo dancing originated chinelos still perform former monastery’s extra large atrium carnival chinelo dancer symbol state morelos tradition increasing town dance troupe possible see troupe dancing time carnival even possible hire chinelos dancer special occasion chinelos part annual independence day celebration cuernavaca tradition taxco popular hundred year ago waned still one group forty member community called landa seen associated festival associated lady sorrow well candlemas february chinelos costume consists four main item long flowing robe usually rectangular shape tunic mask large plumed hat glove flowing robe delicate decoration almost feminine appearance making dancer appear androgynous robe usually made velvet robe extremely hot dance dancer wear bandanna prevent excessive sweating dehydration chinelos costume tlayacapan closest original developed th century hat broader less embellished two three large feather patterned bandana tied around head worn underneath hat tunic white robe white blue generally embroidered rectangular cape image virgin guadalupe tradition spread developed especially morelos town group made distinctive change chinelos gear today town troupe distinctive element began process making extremely elaborate costume place yautepec best costume made velvet entirely covered design image made bead sequin ribbing imitation precious stone decorative element expensive quality bead imported czech republic hat prehispanic image modern interpretation ancient legend tepotzlán tunic made black velvet completely smooth image back painted rather stitched feather decoration hat made fabric hat became higher straighter elaborate black velvet tunic embroidered sequin chinelos mask made mesh always feature upturned beard european feature bandana wrapped around head essential keeping chinelos’ identity secret something reinforced use glove hand assure anonymity costume closely guarded kept secret member troupe dress different house add confusion elaborate decoration made costume expensive make price making outfit range anywhere peso depending complexity decoration material used time involved example decoration done bead expensive sequin bead smaller really elaborate costume cost peso make professional chinelo tunic mask hat maker well competition determine best costume tlayacapan least eight family dedicated fulltime making gear josé salazar flores tepotzlán make living making nothing chinelo hat hat alone cost anywhere peso take forty day hat made fabric frame made palm leaf costume worn previous carnival occasion fetch peso collector dance literally called “brincon” “jump” set repetitive step choreography simple foot apart knee slightly bent dancer take two shuffling step leading one shoulder take small jump right left dancer join drop longer event group dance long band play chinelos dancer young men tiring costume suffocating role chinelo dancer passed parent child occasion child dance different day parent traditionally chinelos dance carnival event beginning early last weekend january different town take turn following weekend lent begin dance take place weekend mid afternoon friday late evening sunday dancer always accompanied brass band music traditional carnival tlayacapan also gave rise banda de musica santa maria de tlayacapan best known musical group morelos borough milpa alta xochimilco important festival without participation dancer dancer also accompany celebrated “niñopa” image many procession festivity honor year