La Belleza de la Danza Folklórica

by Litzy Castro-Hernandez (she/her)

I never really had a passion or talent for anything. My older brother is passionate about soccer, and my older sister has always been great at softball. But I never liked sports all that much, and I always believed I inherited my dad's "two left feet" when it came to dancing. Recently, though, everything I thought about myself changed. That day, I was helping my mom clean out our garage when she suddenly pulled out a pretty pink skirt with lace detailing on the hem and white, red, and green ribbons on the bottom. At first, it didn't mean much to me; it was just a distant memory until I saw Folklórico dancers perform live. A flock of dancers emerged from the stage, they twirled their skirts gracefully and tapped their feet nimbly, leaving the audience marveling at their movements. Vibrant dresses and radiant smiles lit up the stage. In that moment, I realized something: maybe I did have a passion after all.

Folklórico is a type of dance, music, and costume that showcases various aspects of Mexican culture. This type of dance reflects the traditions, cultures, and beliefs of people in various Latin regions. The ceremonial and social dances of Mexico's indigenous people can be traced back to the origins of folklorico. When the Spanish conquistadores arrived, they brought their own music and dances with them. According to Dancespirit, these new forms fused with existing indigenous practices. Furthermore, immigrants from around the world during the colonial era (1525–1810) and even after Mexico’s independence contributed additional musical and dance traditions. (Dancespirit, “Baile Folklórico & World Dance”) Folklorico blended these practices with aspects of the traditions of Mexico's several states and regions throughout this colonial era. Modern folklorico is not just performative art; it's living proof of Mexico´s multicultural identity.

To me, Folklórico is more than just a type of dance; it's a way to express who I am and to feel like I truly belong. When I wear the dress and makeup, I feel beautiful and confident, like I'm discovering a side of myself I never knew existed. It has been about a year since I first began dancing, and in that time, I have gained much more than just skill. I have learned to be confident, humble, brave, and patient. Initially, I was nowhere near the level of my other classmates and had to start in beginner classes with grade school students. Facing the embarrassment of feeling "not good enough" daily required humility to persevere and improve. Our rehearsals often felt repetitive, but through countless hours, I learned that patience is crucial for enhancing skills. At first, I thought Folklórico dancers had to focus solely on their feet and stay in sync with the group. But a professional dancer once shared an insightful lesson: looking at your feet shows a lack of confidence. The key to better dancing delivery is to trust your balance and technique and let the movements flow naturally as you enjoy the dance and the moment. This applies not only to danza, but also in life. I´m an indecisive person, I fear failure, and often find myself giving up opportunities because of my passivity and lack of confidence. However, I do have a chance to make things right by going with the rhythm of life with more intentional and confident actions. Since then, I've been working on my technique and fully immersing myself in the performance. I am currently in the intermediate classes, and in due time, I'll join the next level with the advanced students. I'll keep learning and growing, staying as confident and passionate as ever.

These pictures were at Tony Cerda Park. The studio I was dancing at performed for the Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage and Celebration event in Pomona. I remember being really nervous that day. I was practicing at home before the performance but just couldn't get all the steps right. I ended up messing up a bit during the actual performance but I had a lot of fun! I forgot how nervous I was when I started dancing. I didn't look at my feet while dancing so that was an improvement! I'm proud of how I did even though I am still a beginner. I plan to keep on dancing until im old, wrinkly, and have a lot of grey hairs on my head.