Ballet Folklorico – A Dance Fiesta Celebrating the Culture of Mexico

Cinco de Mayo, like St. Patrick’s Day, Ocktober Fest, and the Chinese New Year, has become an occasion for anybody and everybody to have a good time celebrating the fun aspects of another culture.

Interestingly enough, while many people think of the day as a commemoration of Mexican Independence, it is not, and not even generally considered a holiday in Mexico. What it does commemorate is an 1862 defeat in battle of the last foreign army to invade the Americas. In this case it was the French, who, while stopped by a much smaller and less equipped Mexican Army at Puebla, nevertheless went on to occupy Mexico for several years. For Mexico, September 16th is considered Independence Day, the date on which, in 1810, it declared itself free of Spanish rule.

In the United States Cinco de Mayo (the fifth of May) began as a celebration of pride by people of Mexican descent in their rich heritage. Today it is known and observed in various countries throughout the world.

Besides the tasty food and popular beverages, performances of Mexican folk dances representing the different regions of the nation are usually featured. Each group presenting the shows is known as a Ballet Folklorico.

Okinawa has had its own Ballet Folklorico for twenty-nine years according to Juan Carlos, who has been with it for twelve. Its members, not all with Mexican roots, currently practice at Kadena’s Schilling Center. About forty dedicated people, including children, meet twice a week to learn and refine their skills, sometimes donning the colorful costumes of the particular region whose traditional dance they perform.

Rehearsing in outfits is important as the full skirts play their part adding drama and flash to the ladies. As they twirl the other ladies on the sidelines urge them on. “Show some bloomers!” they laugh, encouraging a vigorous display of energy.

Each region has its own unique and quite distinctive outfit, from the gauzy, brilliant white gowns of Vera Cruz to the multi-hued flairs of Jalisco. Oaxaca, Chiapas, Morelia - every part of the country is easily identified by the type of dress that is worn.

The Kadena troupe, most of whom are connected either to the military or DoDDS, are proud Americans, but their love for the dances of their ancestral land is readily apparent in the enthusiasm with which they perform.

Their rehearsals are for fun and comradeship, and, according to present director, Yesenia Washington, open to anybody who’d like to join.

“Last year,” she says, “the group performed at every school In Okinawa.” They do not charge for the shows, depending on donations to buy the costumes, which are handmade in Mexico. “A dress can cost almost two hundred dollars,” Washington remarks.

This year the Ballet Folklorico will perform at Bob Hope Elementary School on the fifth of May. Unfortunately space for the two performances is limited and so is open only to the students and faculty.

The group rehearses Thursday evenings at 1900 and Sunday afternoons at 1500 at Schilling. Anyone wishing to participate, or for information on the groups availability, should contact Yesenia Washington at 090-6637-7404 or by e-mail at .