Mexico Home > El Tajin & Papantla - Veracruz - 2004
El Tajin and Papantla Voladores
The ruins known as "El Tajin" or the thunder, are located in the northern part of Veracruz. El Tajin flourished from the 9th to 13th centuries, around the time of Teotihuacan's decline. El Tajin's cultural influence extended all along the Gulf of Mexico to the Mayan cultures and inland to the people at Tula.
The centerpiece of El Tajin is the 'Pyramid of the Niches'. There are 365 niches in this structure, one for each day. This pyramid was once painted bright red, with black outlines. Of the few examples of colored fresco remain, bright reds, blues, yellows and black were popular colors.
El Tajin and Papantla Voladores
The ruins known as "El Tajin" or the thunder, are located in the northern part of Veracruz. El Tajin flourished from the 9th to 13th centuries, around the time of Teotihuacan's decline. El Tajin's cultural influence extended all along the Gulf of Mexico to the Mayan cultures and inland to the people at Tula.
The centerpiece of El Tajin is the 'Pyramid of the Niches'. There are 365 niches in this structure, one for each day. This pyramid was once painted bright red, with black outlines. Of the few examples of colored fresco remain, bright reds, blues, yellows and black were popular colors.
The 'Voladores de Papantla' are Totonac Indians traditionally from Veracruz. The voladores rite is a traditional act of worship. The voladores climb to the top of a tall pole, wind ropes around the pole, and then leap off into the air. As the ropes unwind, they descend slowly to the ground.
Volador means "he who flies". It is breathtaking to watch the spectacle of four men gracefully "flying" upside down from a 75 foot pole secured only by a rope tied around their waists. Even more amazing is the musician, called the caporal. Standing on the end of the pole without a rope or safety net, the caporal dances while playing a drum and flute.
Volador means "he who flies". It is breathtaking to watch the spectacle of four men gracefully "flying" upside down from a 75 foot pole secured only by a rope tied around their waists. Even more amazing is the musician, called the caporal. Standing on the end of the pole without a rope or safety net, the caporal dances while playing a drum and flute.
It rained the entire last day we spent in Veracruz. Just for fun, we thought we would take a few smaller roads back home. Within minutes we were reminded of how quickly roads turn into trails in Mexico, but our Jeep pressed on until we discovered that the bridge that was on the map, was under construction. This forced us to spend several hours backtracking, but it ultimately saved us from crossing THIS bridge! (See below.)
