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THE VOLADORES OF PAPANTLA
The origin of the “Voladores” ceremony dates back from the pre - Hispanic time. Even though there is not an exact date, it is believed that after the Conquerors arrived, their main chroniclers considered the ceremonial dance as a game, probably due to the colorful costumes made with authentic birds feathers as representation of eagles, owls, crows, guacamayas and quetzals, among others.
There is a legend that might explain the origin of the ceremony. Many years ago, there was a strong drought in the kingdom of the Totonacapan brought poverty and reduced their population significantly. A group of old wise man entrust to a group of celibates young men to find and cut the tallest tree from the mountains to use it in a ritual with music and dances to request to the Gods for abundant rains and fertility to earth. This ritual should be done on the top of the trunk, so the Gods could hear the prayers.
Apparently, the ritual gave good results and it was adopted as a periodical tribute, turning on a permanent practice at the beginning of the spring.
THE TRUNK TREE OF THE “VOLADOR”
 Despite the common belief, the ceremony of the voladores does not initiate when they jump into the air. Until quite recently ago, the selection of the Trunk tree the head of the group was the beginning of the ritual. He would penetrate the jungle, when the tree was found; they danced around the tree, leaning the body as a sign of respect.
Before they tear down the tree, the space of the possible falling should be cleaned to avoid damage on the structure. Later, the tree was cut and cleaned from branches and leafs. Then, the trunk was transported to the center of the town.
No one was allowed to pass on top of the trunk nor could any women touch it, because it might be an omen of bad luck to the flyer’s men (voladores).
The men made a cord stairs to reach the top op the trunk, then, it was performed a ritual consistent on the burial of a cock or seven chicken alive, sprayed with alcohol, tobacco and tamales, after this, they proceeded to set up vertically the trunk.
The Flyer’s trunk is compound of the mast, incrusted on the ground. On the top, there is a revolving device and a square, in this last is where the dancers – flyer’s men hold themselves with cables tied to the mast.
SOMETHING MORE THAN ACCESORIES
 The original clothing where elaborated with birds feathers as costumes, however, due to the Spanish influence, the attire changed. Nowadays, the costume is used by the natives Totonacas over their traditional cotton white outfit. For the ceremony, the flyer men (Volador) cover their head with a wide handkerchief and on top of this a conical hat is placed with a multicolored tuft representing the head of a bird and the sunrays, emerging from a rounded mirror in the tuft. 
The rainbow is represented by long laces of various colors and the rest of the tuft is adorned with flowers, symbols of fertility.
Two circles hang attached to the right shoulder, in diagonal position, over the chest and the back, representing the wings of the birds. Several colorful figures are also sewed with spangle, referencing to the spring. In the inferior part, yellow fringes are the representation of the sunrays; this are also found on the red pants, and the shoes are leather boots of high heels. The red color is considered as a reference of the blood of the dead dancers and the warmth of the sun.
 In the Voladores ceremonial dance, the music is played by the head of the group, who plays a small drum and a flute. The simplicity of the musical instruments it is not a limitation, on the contrary, it shows a great creativity and knowledge of the harmony and acoustic elements presents on the Totonaca people.
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