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Tamaulipas
Location:
Northeast of México
Regions:
Huasteca
Dance Genres:
Danzas Huastecas, Huapangos,
Polkas, Redovas
The Huasteca Region encompasses six
states which include: Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Puebla, San Luis Potosí,
Hidalgo, and Querétaro. The geographical area is home of the Huaxtec
people. The word “Huapango” derives from the Náhuatl “Cuauhpanco”
which means “over a wooden platform.” The Huapango was created from a
mixture of indigenous pre-hispanic music combined with African
repertoires and Fandangos and Seguidillas of Spain, which arrived in
Mexico around the 18th century. In the musical ensemble,
the traditional Huaxtec Huapangos use the huapanguera guitar, the
jarana, and the violin; meanwhile, the contemporary Huapangos utilize
Mariachi or Ranchera music instruments. In the Fandangos (town
dances) of the Huasteca region, men and women show their dance
abilities over wooden platforms where they execute diverse complicated
combinations of steps.Inhabited for over 8,000
years, Tamaulipas is a state in the northeast of Mexico on the Gulf
of Mexico. Derived from the Huastec term, tamaholipa, meaning either “the place
where people pray,” or “high mountains,” the Huastec are an indigenous people
who inhabited Tamaulipas and several other eastern states along the coast of
the Gulf of Mexico. Their ancient
pre-Colombian culture dates back to the 10th century BCE. The Huastecs constructed an elaborate
civilization with cities, temples, and pyramids, and were known for their
exquisite pottery and music.
Ranch life inspires energetic
dances from this musically rich region.
Today the state known as Tamaulipas, lives by the rhythms of cowboys and
horsemen. Huapango music consists of the
jarana violin and the huapanguera guitar that are proudly played to accompany
the improvised chain of verses sung by the pregonerso, or singer. Melodious lyrics sung in falsetto accentuate
the cuadratura, or measure, while dances filled with vigorous foot rhythms are
precisely executed to match the beat of the jarana.
The men wear a popular
jacket, or curera, which has been a protective garment worn by men in Mexico since the 19th century. Made of cured
hide, the tear resistant fabric offered protection from sharp needles and
branches commonly encountered when cattle ranching, planting, and hunting. When made for chief revolutionaries, these jackets
later became embellished with fringe and embroidery displaying the state’s
official flower and seal.
Raices presented their Tamaulipas Suite at world
famous San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival at the SF Palace of Fine
Arts in 2007.
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