Chihuahua

Location: Northern Mexico

Dance Genres: Taraumaras Danzas, Polkas, Schottische, Redovas, Waltzes, Corridos and Sones

During the 1800s, settlers from Germany Poland, Austria and Czechoslovakia immigrated to the northern regions of the Republic of Mexico bringing with them polkas, waltzes, and the schottische, along with the agility of its movements and the versatility of its steps. The name, Polka, comes from the Check word “Pulka” which means “medio” (middle). The “medio paso” is an important characteristic of these dances. The mixture of already existent music and dances of Mexico’s northern region with that of European confections came together to create what is today the Mexican Polkas. The Mexican Polka is played mainly by “Norteńo” groups (northern musical groups), which are composed of the bajo (bass), bajo sexto, tarola, saxophone and the acordeon. The dances became popular throughout Mexico during the Mexican Revolution, in the early 1900s.

Raíces incorporated these dances in 2002 under the instruction of a member from the Mexican company Rarajípame.