Both times John and I visited Mexico City's Museo Nacional de Antropologica we saw performances of an ancient Mesoamerican ritual, the Palo Valador (Flying Pole), outside the building.
Five brightly costumed performers gathered at the top of a 30 metre pole.
The small upper platform began to spin and four flyers leaned off the platform with the fifth performer standing at the top of the pole playing a flute and a hand-drum.
The four flyers were attached to ropes and descended the pole slowly
taking open-armed and bent-leg positions enroute.
It's an amazing sight and I admit that we felt relieved when they smoothly landed at the base of the pole and a member wandered among the spectators to collect donations for the performers.
The old ritual was originally an attempt to ask the gods for deliverance from drought. Nice introduction to the fabulous Anthropology Museum.
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