Parachicos Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas

Included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage the Parachicos festival is a traditional religion feast celebrates in Chiapas on January between 15 to 23 every year. The Parachico is a traditional dancer who dance on the street from the morning in a procession with different stops in sanctuary or sacred altars.

There are many versions of the history of Parachico but all agree to the myth that one day a beautiful woman seeking a cure for her sick son but after visiting doctor and healers, failed to alleviate it. Someone told her to go Chiapas where surely find the cure, then she moved with all its servants.

Parachicos wear wooden masks with Caucasian features, such as light skin, facial hair and blue eyes, in contrast to Native people’s features. They also wear a round headdress, colorful ribbons, striped serapes, embroidered shawls, usually over black or dark shirt and trousers. Parachicos use metallic rattles locally known as chinchin or chinchines, with colorful ribbons attached to the top and/or handles, which are shaken as they dance and chant.

( Text by Wikipedia)

Photos All rights reserved © Alessandro Banchelli 2018