Dance pattern:
The dance proceeds in two sections.
I. The music for
the first section is slower than for any other dance, almost
like a drone: four sustained whole notes on one tone followed
by seven half-notes in a simple melodic elaboration. The
action consists simply of the monarcas advance from the
back to the front of the hall, accompanied by the malinche on
his left and the abuelo in front of them, facing the pair and
walking backwards. While the malinche and the abuelo simply
walk, the monarca does a special step. Bending his knees, leaning
slightly forward, and rounding his back, he pivots right to
left and left to right, over and over. On the strong, accented
beat of the violin, when he is at the extreme of his pivot,
he takes a step forward to advance him down the hall. At the
same time, accompanying each pivot, he makes a sweeping gesture
with the palma, held in his left hand. The gesture starts with
his arm across his body and then opens out away from him horizontally
as if he is slowly, deliberately pushing something away. There
is a smooth, "s"-shaped transition as he moves his
arm back in across his body. The monarcas other hand,
with the guaje, is held still at his chest, very lightly beating
time. All his moves are slow, broad, and deliberate.
II. When the monarca
arrives at the front of the hall, there is a sudden change of
music, its tempo faster and livelier. The abuelo, in front of
and facing monarca and malinche, calls for them to turn, right
then left. Using the double-stamp step of the entrada, monarca
and malinche now move down the lines, facing the abuelo and
moving backward. As the threesome comes between each pair of
dancers, the monarca stamps loudly to raise them up off their
knees. One pair at a time, the danzantes rise and join in with
the stamping step.
The dance ends when
the monarca and malinche reach the back of the hall and all
the danzantes are up. The abuelo then calls for turns
and everyone bows.