Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Tlacololeros

 Tlacololeros

The tlacololeros originated in the town of Chichihaulco in the sierra of Guerrero, Mexico. On September 28-29 is a festival in honor of the patron of the town, St. Michael. During that festival "The Dance of the Tlacololeros" is performed. The dance consists of sixteen dancers in all. Fourteen of the people are grouped into sevens, then there is the Tiger and the "pitero",the lead musican. The tlacololeros tells the story a tlacololero, a farmer, who hunts and kills the jugar, tiger, who harrassed the local farmers. To scare the jugar away, the farmers use a chirrion, a whip.The tlacololero decides to kill the jugar in order to protect the town's harvest and safety. In the end the tlacololero shoots the jugar. The tlacololeros was performed in honor of the rain god, Tlaloc. The tlacoloro and his village wanted the favor of Tlaloc, so that he might bring enough water and to fertilize their harvest. The village harvest was very important because it was their primary source of food.
The music in the dance is all provided by the pitero. The pitero plays reed flute, with three little holes. The reed flute is played with the left hand. From the flute hangs a seven inch drum, which is played with the right hand using a stick. The tlacololeros also consists of many melodies with a few chants that are then recited repeatedly.
The wardrobe originally consisted of tunics, pants made of a blanket sack and a sewn sisal rope. Today the dancers wear everyday shirts and pants, chaps, and palm hats with very wide brims. The hat is also decorated with colorful paper flowers, and was supported by a chin strap. .The town as well as some of the costumes are covered with marigold flowers and chains of marigold. Before dancers put the masks on they use towels and bandannas to protect their skin and the pressure from the masks, as well as to hide their face and hair. The tlacololero wears a denim jacket and carries a rifle in the left hand and the chirrion in the right.







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