Warriors of the Sun

Five Voladores climb an 80 foot (25 metre) high pole. On the tip of the pole is a hub, through which four ropes are threaded. The Capitán (leader) sits on the hub, while the four others are seated on a square suspended from the hub. The Capitán leans back until he is horizontal, and salutes each of the Four Directions, while offering his heart as a sacrifice to the Sun. He then stands up and dances on the hub, 15 inches (38 cm) in diameter, following the path of the Sun through the solar year. The other Voladores, attached at the waist to the four ropes, then fall back off the square and “fly” head down, arms spread as wings, while the ropes slowly unwind through the hub. They represent warriors who died in battle or were sacrificed on the altar, and who were reincarnated as hawks or eagles to follow the Sun on His journey from dawn to the zenith. Then the bird-men descend to earth to bring the Sun’s blessings – and to carry the offerings on the altar back to the Sun.