Jarana yucateca

Jarana performers can be seen performing in Parque Francisco Cantón Rosado in Valladolid, Yucatán, Mexico quite often. Jarana is the name of the dance originally performed during "La vaqueria" celebration but is seen performed throughout the year in various central parks or zócalos throughout the Yucatán including Mérida, Yucatán's capital.

The vaquería occured when the Spanish conquistador cattle farmers called upon the local Maya to count and brand the cattle on the hacienda. The Spanish allowed the Yucatecas to celebrate for all the hard work that was required and joined in on the vaquería celebration.

Dancers will skillfully place bottles on their head during la jarana. The idea is to not let the bottle fall or have any liquid come out. Today, during most shows, these beer bottles are filled with water.

Both women and men are dressed in traditional Maya wear for the jarana dance. The women wear what's called a terno and it consits of 3 parts called a jubón, a hipil and a fustán. The men, on the other hand dress all in white with a typical guayabera shirt, hat and a handkerchief that falls to the knee called a paliacate. They also wear traditional leather sandals or "chanclas" called "chillonas" for the squealing sound the thick heal makes.