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Garbed in colorful feathered costumes, Mexican
natives start their long spiral to the ground.
They'd make birdlike noises on the way down.
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Photos: Piclcow from Three Lions
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Below the highfliers, villagers gape at their
audacious neighbors during observance of the
flying pole dance. Fliers are called "Voladores."
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Bizarre costumes show birdlike features. These men learn the ritual from childhood.
The dance of the flying pole is a strange, centuries-old
festival celebrated by Indian tribes in
remote Mexican villages. Six villagers, clad in
feathered costumes, climb to the top of a tall tree trunk,
fasten ropes around their waists, and leap into space
with a shriek. As they spin slowly earthward, the
"Voladores" play birdlike tunes on fifes and accompany
their glide with drum beats.
Frequent mishaps have caused the annual rite to be
banned in many villages, but high in the Mexican hills
o it goes on much as it has for hundreds of years.
Family Weekly, July 6. 195J
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