Danza de Los Negritos

The legend surrounding this dance describes how in the town called Papantla there lived numerous native Totonaca indians and African slaves. On a certain occasion, a black slave and her only son strolled to the mountain in search of firewood. During their trip a snake bit the child. A healing ceremony was performed around the ill child in hopes of his recovery. These ceremonies consisted of dances, shouting, gestures and songs honoring the patient and his mother.