Mexico City’s Flyers

Just outside the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City the Voladores (flyers) soar high above the ground with just a rope expertly entwined on one leg to keep them from plummeting to the ground.

The Voladores, Totonac Indians who come from the state of Veracruz, perform this ancient indigenous ceremony several times a day.

Four men, who represent the four corners of the earth, ascend a pole about 100 feet high one by one. A fifth plays a flute.

The pole represents the tie between the heavens, the earth and the underworld. After reaching the top the flyers slowly descend spinning around the pole until they reach the ground.

The ceremony takes place outside the museum in the afternoon. The Museum of Anthropology, one of the finest in the world, shouldn’t be missed if you make your way to Mexico City.