Chinelos
Encyclopedia
The Chinelos dance is a traditional dance in the state of Morelos
, Mexico
in which colourfully dressed dancers dance and wave flags accompanied by set traditional tunes played by a brass band. The town of Tepoztlán
is known for their chinelos but the dance exists throughout Morelos
in towns like Yautepec, Coacalco, Cuautlixco, Atlahuahuacán, Oaxtepec
, Jojutla
and Totolapan
, as well as in certain towns in the state of Puebla
. However it originated in the town of Tlayacapan
.
According to Tlayacapan
Culture House, it was in 1870 when a group of young people, where so unfortunate to see themselves excluded from the Carnival
celebrations, since they had to respect the lent
celebrations, organized one quadrille
s, disguised themselves with old clothes covering their faces with a handkerchief (or piece of blanket) and began to shout, and jump in the streets of the town, making fun of the Spaniards. This improvisation was very successful, and so spoken of, that in the following year it was repeated. Some participants became known as “huehuetzin”, a Nahuatl word that means “a person who dresses in old clothes” (some chinelos still use this word). Year after year, as it became more popular, the celebration grew and the image evolved gradually. In order to represent the Spaniards, beards were added to the masks and the name “chinelo” appeared.
The etymology of the word chinelo is unknown, but in the form of the attire and of “I jump” same notice the syncretism
of the old Moorish
and Christian dances, with “axcatzitzintin” (axcatzitzintin: pre-Hispanic rite that means “to jump to enjoy”). We also know that the word chinelo comes from the Nahuatl “tzineloa”, that it means “I wag my hips”.
The Chinelo’s clothes are similar to tunics worn by Abbey friars and are made of velvet. The most popular colors of these tunics are red and black. On the tunic they wear a layer embroidered with all kinds of artificial jewels.
The Chinelo’s mask is made from wire fabric, properly painted and with a form simulating a face. In this mask great eyes and abundant eyebrows are drawn, as well as a moustache, and a pointed beard. This type of mask was invented at the beginning of the 20th century, by Mr. Jose Maria Villamil. It has also been said that this beard accentuates the influence of the magical kings.
The Chinelo dance is known as “the jump” because the dance consists of vibrant “zapateado” one that has a main step similar to the “brincoteo.” Each “comparsa” (group) of Chinelos has a name and a Chinelo of each comparsa waves the flag that takes its name.
Morelos
Morelos officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Morelos is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 33 municipalities and its capital city is Cuernavaca....
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in which colourfully dressed dancers dance and wave flags accompanied by set traditional tunes played by a brass band. The town of Tepoztlán
Tepoztlán
Tepoztlán is a town in the Mexican state of Morelos. It is located at in the heart of the Tepoztlán Valley. The town serves as the seat of government for the municipality of the same name. The town had a population of 14,130 inhabitants, while the municipality reported 41,629 inhabitants in the...
is known for their chinelos but the dance exists throughout Morelos
Morelos
Morelos officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Morelos is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 33 municipalities and its capital city is Cuernavaca....
in towns like Yautepec, Coacalco, Cuautlixco, Atlahuahuacán, Oaxtepec
Oaxtepec
Oaxtepec is a town within the municipality of Yautepec in the northern part of the Mexican state of Morelos. Its main industry is tourism, mostly aimed at the inhabitants of nearby Mexico City, and the town possesses various aquatic resorts and hotels. The climate is tropical and the countryside...
, Jojutla
Jojutla
Jojutla is a municipality in the state of Morelos, Mexico. Its municipal seat is the city of Jojutla de Juárez. The towns of Tequesquitengo and Huautla as well as Lake Tequesquitengo are also located in the municipality. The municipality reported 53,351 inhabitants in the year 2000 census.The name...
and Totolapan
Totolapan
Totolapan is a municipality in the Mexican state of Morelos.The city serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding municipality, with which it shares a name.The municipality reported 8,742 inhabitants in the year 2000 census....
, as well as in certain towns in the state of Puebla
Puebla
Puebla officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Puebla is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 217 municipalities and its capital city is Puebla....
. However it originated in the town of Tlayacapan
Tlayacapan
Tlayacapan is a town and a municipality located in the northeast part of Morelos state in central Mexico. It is located 60km east from the state capital of Cuernavaca and about 1.5 hours south of Mexico City. It is a rural area, whose way of life has not changed much over the 20th century, with 90%...
.
According to Tlayacapan
Tlayacapan
Tlayacapan is a town and a municipality located in the northeast part of Morelos state in central Mexico. It is located 60km east from the state capital of Cuernavaca and about 1.5 hours south of Mexico City. It is a rural area, whose way of life has not changed much over the 20th century, with 90%...
Culture House, it was in 1870 when a group of young people, where so unfortunate to see themselves excluded from the Carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
celebrations, since they had to respect the lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
celebrations, organized one quadrille
Quadrille
Quadrille is a historic dance performed by four couples in a square formation, a precursor to traditional square dancing. It is also a style of music...
s, disguised themselves with old clothes covering their faces with a handkerchief (or piece of blanket) and began to shout, and jump in the streets of the town, making fun of the Spaniards. This improvisation was very successful, and so spoken of, that in the following year it was repeated. Some participants became known as “huehuetzin”, a Nahuatl word that means “a person who dresses in old clothes” (some chinelos still use this word). Year after year, as it became more popular, the celebration grew and the image evolved gradually. In order to represent the Spaniards, beards were added to the masks and the name “chinelo” appeared.
The etymology of the word chinelo is unknown, but in the form of the attire and of “I jump” same notice the syncretism
Syncretism
Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term means "combining", but see below for the origin of the word...
of the old Moorish
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
and Christian dances, with “axcatzitzintin” (axcatzitzintin: pre-Hispanic rite that means “to jump to enjoy”). We also know that the word chinelo comes from the Nahuatl “tzineloa”, that it means “I wag my hips”.
The Chinelo’s clothes are similar to tunics worn by Abbey friars and are made of velvet. The most popular colors of these tunics are red and black. On the tunic they wear a layer embroidered with all kinds of artificial jewels.
The Chinelo’s mask is made from wire fabric, properly painted and with a form simulating a face. In this mask great eyes and abundant eyebrows are drawn, as well as a moustache, and a pointed beard. This type of mask was invented at the beginning of the 20th century, by Mr. Jose Maria Villamil. It has also been said that this beard accentuates the influence of the magical kings.
The Chinelo dance is known as “the jump” because the dance consists of vibrant “zapateado” one that has a main step similar to the “brincoteo.” Each “comparsa” (group) of Chinelos has a name and a Chinelo of each comparsa waves the flag that takes its name.