Deer Dance History

A dance originated from Sonora Mexico that is now popular in many other parts of Mexico named la danza de venado also known as the deer dance. A native Yaqui dance that is used to dramatize deer hunting in the honoring of the natural world we live in and especially those white tailed deer which were the providers for the hunters and their family’s essentials. The dance was designed to portray a deer’s graceful and active movements. The dancers wear deer heads and dress in an Indian manner as when they lived in the times where hunters wore clothes worn out of animals they hunted. When instruments are played for this song the dancers chant as if they are hunting and the dance goes on with running freely on the plains as deer’s do, jumping through …show more content…
At the ending of the dance the deer surrenders to the hunters giving up his life to them in order for them to keep living symbolizing the cycle of life. The instruments playing start to tune out slower and quieter which represents the deer’s heartbeat coming to an end. This dance is popular in the Mexican culture it has kept the same meaning through time and still is danced the same way as from when it was originated. This dance remains highly respected for its religious aspect. The Yaqui people of Sonoran descent fought hard to keep their land and culture during the conquest of Mexico. The dance was originated in northern Mexico and is now related to Easter and the renewal of spring when hunting season occurs. The deer itself is one of the most respected symbols in these cultures and the dance is full of meaning and symbolism to the Hispanics of the Mexican culture. Another well-known folk dance in the Mexican culture is named jarabe tapatio also known as the Mexican hat dance, this innocent dance because dancers do not touch one …show more content…
The dance recalls sense of national identity and unity to celebrate traditions and culture of the Mexican heritage. The charming glance and graceful dance along with the colorful clothing used which catches the audience’s attention to the Mexican folk art. Both of these dances have been in the culture for a very long time and are still continued to be passed down to new generations in order to never forget our roots and where we came from although many of us newer generations are not born in Mexico we still have instilled our roots and must know all about our culture and what history has happened that led us to be where we are today. I enjoy these dances watching them is so pretty and it is a happy time the music makes you feel happy and ready to dance although I may not dance myself I feel identified with the rest of my family and when I visit my family members when there are festivities in the town I have seen these dances still performed today although centuries have passed they are still part of the religious Mexican culture also seen is schools as a school dance the children learn the dances as they participate in the school’s