The Amazing Voladores de Papantla

We have been so hopeful this trip to experience the Voladores de Papantla. There is a tradition in the huastec tribes near and above Veracruz that was a religious ceremony and was something that the catholic church could not prevent so they incorporated it. In this ceremony four brave men ascend a very straight very tall pine, 30 meters (100 feet) where they balance on a yard wide square that spins. They arrange ropes in a spiral like a maypole. Then a fifth even braver man climbs up and plays a recorder like flute and prays with the men to the four directions, while standing and dancing! On the top of the pole. Finally he sites on the top of the pole and the four others slowly lean out backwards and fall out on their ropes, heads down, ropes around their slim waists-- how do they ever stay there... With one foot hooked around the rope. Heads down they spiral through the air as if in a trance slowly flying down to earth. Here are some pictures: in our case seen at a county fair, far from the usual solemn presentation!