This dance troop came from Puebla, Mexico to perform the dance of the Tecuanis (the thing that eats or devours). They performed at the National Museum of the American Indian for their yearly Day of the Dead celebration.There are two lines of dancers. One line represents the indigenous people. The other line represents the Spanish. There are also people dressed as jaguars, a cow, a witch, a devil, and the grim reaper.
Each costume is decorated with paint and sequins. Each mask is hand made in Mexico. Each face has a different expression, representing all the emotions of life. They were caricatures come to life.
The performers have a crazy dance-off. The dance ends when they kill the jaguar that has been attacking the people and their cows. There is lots of piercing whistle music and jumping in the air. The jaguars have tails that they whack on the ground with thunderous explosions.
The best part is watching the kids reactions. Some of them were scared of the jaguars. The kids in front of me jumped back a foot when one whacked its tail nearby. Mostly, the kids seemed to really enjoy being scared.
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