Danza de los Pastorelas/Shepard’s Play

When the missionaries arrived in Mexico, they often used exaggerated outdoor plays to teach many of the Christian legends and ideals to the Indians. Thus were born the Pastorelas, the wonderfully naïve, irony packed story of the birth of the Christ Child.

Today Pastorelas continue, with the script improvised by the participants. Especially fun are the simple country shepherds traveling to visit the newly born child in the manger, and the many encounters they have with Lucifer, his attractive disciples, and the ultimate battle of good and evil. Each year, amidst the jokes, jeers, laughter, songs, slang, bawdy humor, it is a fight to the finish between Lucifer and the Archangel Gabriel. Even if you don’t understand Spanish, the broad acting, fun and laughter will give you the overview of this very typically Mexican tradition.

This dance is celebrated with a group of players who take their performance through the streets of the village. The players represent devils (with devil masks), Gabriel the Archangel, a hermit (with mask) and shepherds. In Tocuarc, Michoacan, the dance is performed for the entire village on February 2 the first day of the Candelaria (Candelmas) fiesta. Throughout the following 3 days the villagers and dancers reenact the play in every house. The masks and costumes are guarded for future use.

This intricately carved devil mask was made by Manuel Abeiro Horta, the youngest of Juan's sons. The snakes on either side of the face are carved from the same piece of wood. The horns and fangs are carved separately and attached. Manuel Abeiro and Modesto both have toured the United States demonstrating their craft.

Don Juan Horta passed away on Dec. 19, 2006

His spirit lives on through is art and his sons carry on their father's craft; but we will all miss this great man.

Descanse en Paz, Maestro