The Danza de la Pluma

Learn more about the Danza de la Pluma, a tradition from various communities of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca

Source Folklife Magazine: https://lnkd.in/gGM5gDbh

Feather headdresses resembling magnificent birds—Drums vibrating rhythms under the sun—Dancers appearing to defy gravity, leaping between heaven and earth—This is the Danza de la Pluma (the Dance of the Feather)!

More than a performance, the tradition is a living expression of identity passed down through generations.

The Smithsonian Heritage & Handicrafts: OAXACA project is deepening connections between cultural heritage handicraft entrepreneurs in Mexico and markets for their goods. Through this effort, our team is engaged with the cultural and economic communities surrounding the Danza de la Pluma. We have witnessed firsthand how this practice is preserved, adapted, and proudly shared by dancers, artisans, and families who carry it forward.

The Danza de la Pluma, beyond its connotations as a celestial dance, historical representation of the conquest, or cultural spectacle, continues to be rooted in various communities of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca—weaving together identity, religious devotion, and local economy. But it is not a static tradition. Instead, it is one that continues to evolve, and the meanings, styles, and interpretations of the dance change from community to community.

Learn more about the Danza de la Pluma in Folklife Magazine: https://lnkd.in/gGM5gDbh
Photos courtesy of Luis Martinez