The dance of the Old Men in Michoacán is a form of artistic expression that captivates and surprises; being able to see how the body transmits emotions is a sensation that leaves no one indifferent.
Sometimes through costumes, sometimes without much paraphernalia, this activity appeals to feelings and symbolisms that have prevailed for generations, to the point of unifying communities by endowing them with a cultural identity.
Origin of the Dance of the old men
This dance dates from pre-Hispanic times, when four men from the Purépecha people, an empire of pre-Columbian Mexico that encompassed what is now the state of Michoacán and parts of Jalisco, offered to the Old God Tata Jurhiata in order to receive good harvests, among other favors. At that time the dance was known as T'arche Uarakua (in the Purépecha language).
The dance, which for some was born specifically in what is now the town of Jarácuaro, in the area of ​​Lake Pátzcuaro, could only be performed by the petámunis, the wisest of the community and therefore the oldest; they danced with their canes at each change of season.
In its origin, the dance also had four participants, with the distinction that one wore a mask that represented youth, as an allegory to the rising season, while the rest symbolized the past seasons.
The arrival of the Spaniards brought with it the prohibition of dance, although it continued to be taught clandestinely. In the process, the dance changed, as it adapted external instruments and lost its ritualistic meaning, as it went from being an offering to a way of making fun of the ailments of the conquerors.
How to dance the Danza de los viejitos Currently, the dance is developed using various comic elements, such as falls or walking stooped, typical of the elderly.
The staging has Veripiti and Maringuía as references. There are some versions that include the ugly, dance characters who make fun of the old men.
The dance is danced to the rhythm of pirekuas, a musical genre typical of the Purépecha people that arose from the religious songs of Spanish evangelizers. The most common compositions for dance are El Huarache, El Gustito, La Competencia and El Trenecito.
Costumes of the Dance of the old men
The costume for this dance stands out for being very colorful. A wide-brimmed hat is worn with ribbons of various shades at its ends; sometimes the hat has grafts of grass fiber to make it look like graying hair. The pants and the shirt are made of white blanket, and on top they wear a dress or serape. A cane and huaraches are also used, which usually have a wooden soles to favor footwork.
But the most distinctive thing about the dance is the mask: made with wood or cane paste, it represents a senile face. It has the peculiarity of almost always having a pinkish hue and showing a smile.
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