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Let's Go2Mexico - Articles
On Wednesday, September 30th the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the ritual of the “voladores” (indian flyers), as well as the places of memory and live traditions of the Otomí-Chichimeca people of Tolimán (Querétaro) an Immaterial Human Heritage. With the above, México has obtained its first inscriptions within the Representative List of this area although it possesses many Material Heritage inscriptions already. In antiquity the dresses were made of birds’ feathers representing eagles, owls, crows, macaws, quetzals and caciques. For its part, the sacred pole or tsakáe kiwi (chicozapote or sapodilla tree) is sought, cut, dragged and raised while begging for forest’s forgiveness. Five men climb the height of the tree (which may measure from 18 to 40 meters) tied by ropes to their feet and waist; one of them, the foreman, sounds the instruments up high, invoking the four cardinal points; the dancers leap then into the void descending in circles around the trunk imitating the flight of birds. The ritual carries a strong load of spiritualism, besides displaying evident respect towards nature. Man, its environment and cosmos become integrated by this ritual. The ceremony also stands out for its promotion of work and community welfare.
The result of said works was a plan of safeguarding, preservation and development of cultural heritage focused on three main groups: the Veracruz, Puebla and San Luis Potosí Flyers; the Dancers of Guatemala and the regions of Mexico and Central America where such ritual has been performed. Said plan covers actions such as the International Flyers Encounter, the School of Flying Children of the National Center for Indigenous Arts, the formation of a Flyers Council and a Safeguard Plan. In accordance with UNESCO’s Representative List of Immaterial Heritage, the nomination was founded on the following facts: 1) The Ritual Ceremony of the Flyers has been transmitted from generation to generation and recreated constantly by the communities in response to their interaction with nature and the universe. 2) La inscription of the element in the Representative List would contribute to promote the comprehension and respect to cultural diversity, would stimulate dialog among the interested parties and would increase the visibility and concern for intangible cultural heritage. 3) Various factors that endanger this element’s viability have been identified and a group of safeguard measures has been described, such as establishing a School of Flying Children with signs of support by government authorities and participating communities. 4) The Flyers themselves, as well as other civil and public institutions participated in the nomination process, either by themselves or through their associations, and evidence of free and informed previous consent has been provided. 5) The element is inscribed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Mexico, it is maintained by Conaculta (National Council for Culture and the Arts). For Papantla, such nomination within the area of Immaterial Heritage adds to that of the former Sacred City of Tajín, already within the Material Heritage. The flyers will celebrate the declaration on October 12 at Tekilhsukut Park. A simultaneous flight will be performed at all poles in the country. Immaterial heritage related to such people consists of more than 200 XVIII century “family chapels” existing in the region, where indigenous people believe their ancestors reside. It also relates to the large number of pilgrimages (like the one to the three mountains to call for rain) and the festivities related to water, as well as the territory itself, made sacred by the celebration of various rites through time. This way, the so called “memory spaces” make the encounter between living and dead possible, and the preservation of family lineage that articulates the community organization. Buildings such as the Public Clock, the Templo de Dolores, the Castalia Fountain and the Templo de San Pedro are also found in that area. It is a recognition to the cultural wealth and the efforts by those indigenous communities to preserve their traditions related to the topography and the surrounding environment. The inhabitants of these communities have shown through time their interest to work defending and promoting their culture, their language, their traditions and their territory. This way they have organized workshops, assemblies, photos, polls, as well as the Declaration of the Otomí-Chichimeca people of the semi desert of Querétaro proclaimed July 2006. A team of anthropologists, historians, biologists, environmentalists, photographers, designers and cultural promoters have worked with them putting together the Technical File presented to UNESCO on September 2008. The existence of the UNESCO’s Lists has the goal of making universal heritage known, as well as to arouse consciousness of its importance and promote the dialog among countries. Its end result should bring about protection, research and diffusion, as well as technical assistance and management before foundations and organisms, permitting the development of programs directed at the conservation of said heritage. It can be said that both declarations imply also a great responsibility. Not only cultural institutions and those directly related to the flying pole ritual and the Places of memory, but all of us are responsible to care for the cultural wealth and the universe of symbols of Among the risks, we can mention for example: the loss of spiritual principles and preparation; the deforestation brought about by excessive livestock grazing practiced by non indigenous people; the cultural assimilation that implies loss of traditions; the pauperization. Where does the responsibility of the indigenous people end and ours start? How to promote economic stimulus through tourism while respecting their traditions at the same time? Are “immaterial” and “intangible! Things harder to preserve than tangible, concrete things? Email to a friend Author/Editor:Lenice Rivera
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The ritual ceremony of the Indian Flyers or voladores originated in the pre-Hispanic era. According to archaeological evidence, this dance exists since 600 b.c. During the Spanish Viceroyalty the ceremony was not only performed in certain regions but it also became part of holidays and indigenous festivities integrated into the holidays’ calendar. Modified over the passage of time, it has been preserved until present days.
The Ritual Ceremony of the Flyers file was sent to UNESCO on September 2008 (written in Spanish, English, French and Totonaca). Among other institutions who participated in this initiative are: The Veracruz State Government, the Center of Indigenous Arts; an academic council; the Association of Indian Flyers, the Totonaca Supreme Council; CONACULTA (National Council for Culture and the Arts); The Department of Cultural Heritage of the (INAH) National Institute of Anthropology and History; CONALMEX (National Commission of Cooperation with UNESCO). All documentation work and conformation of the file were handled by the Center of Indigenous Arts with the inter-institutional support of the three levels of government.
UNESCO’s second declaration refers to the places of memory and live traditions of the Otomí-Chichimeca peoples of Tolimán. Bernal Rock, guardian of a sacred territory corresponds, thus, to the semi-desert region of Querétaro, an indigenous zone where the Otomí language prevails. The Otomí-Chichimeca people or hñañhu —seated in the region of Tolimán, near Bernal Rock and the mountains of Zamorano and el Frontón— come from the fusion of the migrating tribes of the north with the language and traditions of the Otomí people (one of the oldest and most numerous of Middle America). 
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