How to Do the Mexican Hat Dance

The Mexican Hat Dance is the official dance of Mexico. It tells the story of a man trying to court a woman. Since its origin in 1734, it has become popular throughout the southwestern United States and through all of Mexico as a source of pride within the Mexican culture. Here is how to do the Mexican Hat Dance.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Wear the appropriate costume. The real Mexican Hat Dance is performed by a "charro" dressed in a traditional charro suit. This is a three-piece suit made of a vest, jacket and pants adorned with silver buttons along the seam. "La china" wears a traditional "china poblana" outfit. This consists of a white blouse with ornate embroidery, silk and beads, and a skirt decorated with geometric and floral shapes.

2. Impress the woman with "zapateado," which is a sequence of tapping and stamping. The male does this in a choreographed step in order to entice the woman with his machismo.

3. Become drunk with love and glory. The moment the man impresses the woman he must be overcome with these, at which point the women considers him a "barracho," the Mexican word for inebriate. The man is then shooed away.

4. Throw the hat to the ground. Eventually as the tension builds between the lustful couple, the man throws his hat to the ground and kicks his leg over her head the moment she bends down to pick it up. This signifies that he has conquered his "china" (woman).

5. March in unison to a military tune called "diana." This shows that the couple has now become one.

6. End the Mexican Hat Dance with the couple hiding their faces behind the sombrero feigning a kiss to the applause of all who surround. You just learned the parameters of the Mexican Hat Dance, now go out and make it seductive, sexy and absolutely your own.

Resources

• A great site to learn more about the Mexican culture.
• Another great site with tons of information, including how to do a Mexican Hat Dance.