Traditional Mayan Dance in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

In pre-Columbian Maya civilization, ceremonial dance had great importance. However, since dance is a transient art, it is inherently difficult for archeologists to find and evaluate evidence of its role. There is little material information left behind, beyond a few paintings on murals and vases. This lack of direct evidence leads to several different archaeological interpretations.
The dance was a central component of social, religious, and political endeavors for the ancient Maya. The entire community danced, including kings, nobles, and common people. Dance served many functions such as creating sacred space, closing the gap between here and the otherworld, and releasing the dead from the grasp of the Xibalbans (see Xibalba).
Ancient Maya dance is often characterized by the transformations of human beings into supernatural (god like) beings by means of visionary trance. Some think that hallucinogenic drugs or medicines were used to put the performer into an altered state of mind. Once in this state of mind, the participants were transformed into their wayob or soul companions. These soul companions were depicted through the masks and the costumes people wore in the dance. Some scenes are painted on pottery such as that from the myriad ritual meals of Classic festivals. These vessels depict humans, both kings and nobles, dressed in costumes. Their human faces are shown in cutaway view inside the costumes of the fantastic creatures they have become through the transformation of the dance. Some of these wayob are recognizable as animals like jaguars and birds of prey, but others just look like strange monsters.
For the Maya, dance was a very public affair. It induced visionary trances where either individuals or groups went into an altered state of mind that allowed them to communicate with the other world. Those who were strong enough to travel there told stories about how the land had things like rivers and trees in this world. Some of the great lords depicted themselves dancing out over the abyss that leads into the otherworld.
The distinction between humans and supernatural beings was never sharply made. Through dance, people became gods and gods became people even if it were only for a moment. It is important to note that these were more than just acts of civic pride or piety. They were considered to be direct connections to the otherworld.
With the written form of dance poses play a big part on how they describe and depict the dance. The gesture of holding the double-headed serpent would be described as a gesture of concentration, calm and tranquility. The pose to dancing was discovered to be a lifted heel while still touching the ground. This was discovered in 1911 but wasn’t brought to questions till 1981 by Virginia Miller who defined the pose. This pose was started in the Early Classic period on a small scale while in the eight century started to appear in large scale depiction. This pictures show one heel raised, very rarely is both raised, and the arms in a dynamic pose with the body gazing outwards.
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#rivieramaya #mayawarriordance #playadelcarmen

[@jonathandeleon5588]

This is cool. My grandmother from Guatemala is a Mayan Indigenous she only speaks Quiche a Mayan Dialect, and this video made me so proud of my history.

[@colorscream]

DId it really? I am very happy!

[@Eirene30]

You definitely you should feel sooo proud!! I'm Greek and I was always fascinated by the Mayan Civilization. I consider it with Ancient Greeks and the Egyptians, the 3 Top Civilizations. I won't forget a trip I made to Tulum ruins while I was on vacation in Cancun. And im sure I haven't seen anything yet from this amazing civilization...The Mayas!!!🔝🙌🙏🌟Greetings from Athens, Greece!

[@colorscream]

@@Eirene30 I have a video from Tulum ruins as well

[@Kuroiiyami]

My mother speaks Q’anjob’al our ancestors and culture is very beautiful, be proud of who we are because Guatemala is the only CA country that will be closer to our indigenous roots ❤️

[@oliviavaladez4762]

@@Eirene30.

[@Kuroiiyami]

I’m so proud to be a Mayan descendant, thank you this video is very beautiful ❤️

[@Kuroiiyami]

Jazmyne Colio - It’s cool, not really weird your just looking out for our people but I will do what it takes for my people to keep living and carrying on our culture

[@colorscream]

i'm happy you liked it

[@skimitar2.0]

I'm also proud of being a guatemalan mayan man.

[@raggazo23]

Mexico has a vibrant variety of cultures, can’t wait to explore the Mayan region, Uxmal, palenque, and Bonampak is on my list 😎

[@TravellersRelish]

Almost asked what the dance was about. Thanks for including that in the description. This looks like a really cool experience.

[@gueguense8258]

This looks more like an Aztec dance, not Mayan.

[@hijodelmaize6084]

Yes I was going to say the same thing. And they where using azteca God names. Very disappointing. The costumes were not maya either

[@fmango]

To be fair, Guatemala, Honduras and el salvador are a Mayan / Mexican mix

[@Eirene30]

Oh my God...Fascinating...I'm obsessed with the Mayan Civilization!!!🙌🔝🌹

[@colorscream]

Have you ever been to Mexico?

[@august936]

I’m of maya descent but never got to learn my culture so this feels sort of therapeutic in a sense

[@Samus7000]

Me too.(DNA test shows me at 63% indigenous American mostly Maya and Nahua)🥺 My mom is so adamant about how NOT “indio” our family was: that my great great grandparents wore suits and dresses like “civilized” people.
But I know whomever ancestor succumbed to the Christian religion forced on my family did it in fear of death. I wish so much of that part of my culture wasn’t erased. 😢

[@itsaurora1804]

as a mexican this dance is so interesting and cool. love appreciating my culture :)

[@abellucero2452]

This is aztec, no mayan...

[@ericahymes3780]

I love those Amazing humans. So proud to show their beautiful, headless and their unique dances and their musical instruments.
To Blessed 🙌 each day the Tourists arrive from all over the world 🌎
The Mayan Empire Territories Guatemala 🇬🇹 and tge Aztecs in Mexico 🇲🇽 ♥️

[@HappyFriday]

Wow! this looks so cool

[@colorscream]

Thanks!

[@snowflakecalvert6017]

I’m from Chiapas. This is not Mayan dance and they are not speaking any Mayan dialect. They are doing reinvented Aztec/Mexica dance. The title to this video is inaccurate.

[@joemadrid8331]

Maya, but they speaking Nahua?

[@EnchantyBat]

That made me go 🤔 as well. Maybe the poster meant to put Aztec

[@joemadrid8331]

@@EnchantyBat Long way from mistyping Aztec and Maya. And I would think by now he or she would have realized the mistake and corrected the tittle. Mayan dances are different from place to place. But this looks more Mexika to me.

[@vanillaicecream9026]

All american natives we are brothers

[@miketan5603]

Whats your source of information?
I grew uo in qroo and im writing a fictional story, with a mayan character and your description is very helpfull

[@Chipito2005]

I can't imagine how long it took to get the feathers for the headdresses

[@man_g4me]

thanks "SONIC TEAM"

[@abigailjass]

Is Aztec 🇲🇽

[@camiloroca3425]

Es parecida a la azteka pero cambia algo

[@eyecxndyyy3435]

🇬🇹

[@endtimeswatcher6025]

Am Mayan descent

[@CarolinaMartinez-hc1if]

Mayan indigenous dances are more realistic than the Aztec ones

[@victorfernandez6968]

Lo que me decepciona que esto es para entretener turistas. Mexico está perdido una raíz fuerte Nativa😔