Dance Steps of Mexian Traditional Dances

Folk Dancing of Mexico goes way beyond the Marena. It is representing Mexican deep cultural roots. One of the first things a child learns from his parents are the traditional tribal dances performed by the people for all occasions in life including death, harvest. Mestizo dances were created when European discoverer settled Central America; they combine indigenous dance qualities with regal Europeanthemes and styles . Today, regional dances dominate Mexico’s dance scene.

La Cucaracha
Partners begin facing each other on both feet and perform the same steps. Step on the right foot diagonally across the left, step back on left foot and step the right foot back in place. Step your left foot diagonally across the right and step back on your right foot and hold for a count. Spin four steps to your left and then hold. Repeat these steps starting with the right foot.

Part two of La Cucaracha begins when you walk forward three steps diagonally to the right starting with the left foot. Stamp your right foot twice. Walk back to place and stamp your right foot twice again. Repeat part two going in the left direction.

Bleking Step
This is a dance step done in folk dances from all over the world, but is especially popular in traditional Mexican dancing.

Hop on the right foot. Touch your left heel forward and hop onto left foot. Touch right heel forward and hop onto right foot. Repeat. The bleking step is done in place, meaning it does not travel forward when you hop.

La Raspa
This is another partner dance where the dancers face each other and do the same steps. Take one bleking step on the right foot. Turn slightly counterclockwise away from partner and do a bleking step on the left foot. Repeat steps again, this time facing your partner.

For part two, partners hook right elbows and lift left hands high. Do eight running steps and clap on the eighth step. Reverse direction, take eight running steps and clap on the eighth step.