China Poblana Maraca

Jarabe Tapatío

Jarabe Tapatío, also known as the Mexican Hat Dance, is one of the most popular dances in Mexico.  The dance originated in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and is accompanied by a mariachi band. The music was composed by Jesus Gonzalez Rubio in 1924.  The dance represents a courtship between a man and a woman, and starts with the woman refusing the man’s advances. By the end of the dance, the woman takes the man’s sombrero and places it over their face, making the assumption they are kissing.  The dance was originally forbidden due to its sexual innuendos, but is now widespread and considered important to Mexican culture and heritage. The women wear a China Poblana style of dress, and the men wear a charro, Mexican equestrian, outfit.

China Poblana

Traditionally, a China Poblana is a dress made up of an embroidered white blouse and colorful skirt made of castor.  It is believed the style came from a slave that was brought to Puebla. She was from India and was brought as a slave to the Philippines and then to Mexico. She was sold to a family and her name was changed to Catarina de San Juan. People began to take notice of her style of dress, that contained both Indian and Mexican influences.  It soon became popular and instilled in the national culture.