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Mexico · Traditions · Hard

What is the name of the Totonac ritual in which voladores (flyers) climb a 30-metre pole, tie ropes around their waists and launch themselves backwards, spiralling slowly to the ground as one remains at the top playing a flute and drum?

The four voladores represent the cardinal directions and the four elements, while the caporal at the top plays the son del volador — the ritual was originally a prayer for rain and fertility and is now UNESCO-listed.

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