DANCE AND MUSIC “Folklore”

The state is well known in the country for its music and dance. The fandango is a dance brought over from Spanish. Today the state has two varieties: the jarocho and the huasteco. Indigenous and folk dances in the state are most often associated with rituals and religious festivals. the state’s most famous dance is as much a ritual and daredevil act as movements performed to music.
The Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) is a ceremony/ritual which has its roots in the pre-Hispanic period and presently best known as associated with the town of Papantla, Veracruz. It is believed to have originated with the Nahua, Huastec and Otomi peoples in central Mexico, and then spread throughout most of Mesoamerica. The ritual consists of dance and the climbing of a 30 meter pole from which four of the five participants then launch themselves tied with ropes to descend to the ground. The fifth remains on top of the pole, dancing and playing a flute and drum. According to myth, the ritual was created to ask the gods to end a severe  drought.

MUSIC

The state's best-known musical style is called the "son". A “son” is a musical variation which traces its origins to Spain and developed during the 17th and 18th centuries, The music is generally performed by harps, violins and guitars, with an occasional wind instrument. Son huasteco (also called son huapango) is a variety of son played in the north of the state mostly among the Totonaca. Son jarocho is the better known and more popular variety played in the south of the state. The name of some popular Veracruz Dance Songs; "La Bamba" ,"El Tilingo Lingo","La Rama" ,"El Jarabe Loco", "La Paloma", "Veracruz" The state has produced a number of musicians famous in the country. One of the best known is Francisco Gabilondo Soler, another famous musician is Agustín Lara, who has had more international fame. Nicknamed “Flaco de oro” (golden

skinny one).

HANDCRAFTS

In the more rural and indigenous areas of the state, a number of

handcrafts are still made and sold both to local buyers and to tourists.

Many of these crafts are produced by communities that specialize in

one or more types. The best work comes from the towns of Ozulama

and Castillo de Teayo. Teocelo and Monte Blanco are known for bamboo furniture and other items. Ceramics have been made in almost all parts of Veracruz since the Olmecs.

CUSTOME

Consist of a white wide skirt always white, combined with a small black

half-apron, embroidered with colorful flowers, combined with a  white, square shawl worn around both shoulders and fastened at the chest worn with white flamenco shoes. complemented with flowers in the hair and a fan hanging around  the dancers' neck (to fend off the Veracruz heat)

The costume for men consists of white pants with a white dress shirt (is called Guayabera). The shoes should be white and the outfit is complete with a hat of palms and a red scarf around his neck with an adjustable gold ring.