Veracruz

The Mexican state of Veracruz was named by the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés, who landed at the beach of Chalchihuecan on April 22, 1519. It was Good Friday, which the Spanish also referred to as the day of the Vera Cruz or True Cross.

The famous Danza de Voladores de Papantla is a ritualistic dance performed by five men of the Totonac Indian tribe. One of the participants climbs atop a pole approximately 80 meters (262 feet) high where he plays a flute and dances while the other four men dangle from ropes wrapped around the pole and tied to one of their feet. As the pole turns, the rope unwinds, and the men are slowly lowered to earth.