Mexican Papantla Flyers Fertility Rite

Mexican Papantla Flyers perform a pre-Hispanic ritual dedicated to their sun god, a leap from a 90 foot pole, on 15th May 1996, the Tulum ruins, Yucatan, Mexico. Dressed in their native costumes these men lash themselves to this towering pole with a leather bindings and soar off into space backwards and upside down in the ultimate leap of faith. The Papantla Flyers are Totonac Indians performing an ancient fertility ceremony. As they slowly descend to earth, the 13 revolutions made by the four flyers equal the 52-year span of the Aztec century. They represent earth, water, fire and air and the interweaving of these four elements symbolizes the creation of new life. A fifth man is left on top, dancing on this tiny nine-inch platform while simultaneously playing both a pre-Columbian flute and drum.

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Filename: mesican_leap-15-05-1996.jpg
Copyright: Richard Baker
Image Size: 5465x3561 / 4.6MB; www.photoshelter.com/support/license; https://www.bakerpictures.com/contact; nineties 1990s 90s nineteen-nineties times bygone era years decades 20th century decade mexican mexico papantla flyers ancient fertility rite performance pole above high totonac elements recreation troupe tourism tulum entertainment
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Mexican Papantla Flyers perform a pre-Hispanic ritual dedicated to their sun god, a leap from a 90 foot pole, on 15th May 1996, the Tulum ruins, Yucatan, Mexico. Dressed in their native costumes these men lash themselves to this towering pole with a leather bindings and soar off into space backwards and upside down in the ultimate leap of faith. The Papantla Flyers are Totonac Indians performing an ancient fertility ceremony. As they slowly descend to earth, the 13 revolutions made by the four flyers equal the 52-year span of the Aztec century. They represent earth, water, fire and air and the interweaving of these four elements symbolizes the creation of new life. A fifth man is left on top, dancing on this tiny nine-inch platform while simultaneously playing both a pre-Columbian flute and drum.