VOLADORES DE PAPANTLA

The Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) The ritual consists of dance and the climbing of a 30 meter pole from which four of the five participants then launch themselves tied with ropes to descend to the ground. The fifth remains on top of the pole, dancing and playing a flute and drum.

Presently best known as associated with the town of Papantla, Veracruz. According to myth, the ritual was created to ask the gods to end a severe drought. The ceremony was named an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.