La Danza Del Venado: The Deer Dance

The Deer Dance, sometimes referred to as La Danza del Venado, originated in Sonora, Mexico by the Yaqui people and spread into southwestern part of Arizona. As with all the Yaqui’s dances, this is dance represents part of Yaqui’s culture and has been passed down through the generations. Unlike many dances that have been influenced by Europeans, the Deer Dance performed today is basically the same dance as it was centuries ago because the Yaqui people, during the Spanish conquest of Mexico, fought for their culture which prevented the Europeans from influencing changes within the dance. This dance is unique and is well known and respected for its spiritual aspects as wells as primitive and ritual qualities.

The Yaqui people believed in the four forces of nature: wind, water, lightning, and thunder. They watched and observed nature. They examined

the patterns and characteristics of plants and animals. This includes the gracefulness and swiftness of the white tail deer. When the Yaqui people expected the arrival of a plant or animal, they would celebrate. These celebrations consisted of ceremonies the entailed performances that actually portrayed what the Yaqui’s desired. When hunting season began, the Yaqui people would dance the Deer Dance.
The Deer Dance, as the name suggests, symbolizes an intense deer hunt.

The dancers are graceful, elegant, and strong white tail deer that are running through the woods, searching for other animals, and being cautious of human hunters. The dancer is elegant but athletic at the same time jumping through the air simulating the gracefulness of the white tail deer. The dancer portrays the feeling of freedom that all wild things have. The dancer moves his body with proud and deliberated movements the same movements as a white tail deer running through the forest, jumping over fallen trees, listening to the sounds of nature, and stopping for a drink of water. At the end of the dance, the deer (dancer) comes across a group of hunters who stalk him as if he is pray. They pursue him with bows and arrows. In the end, the hunters win and the beating of the deer’s heart stops beating. The deer gives its life to the hunters so the hunters can exist. Through this dance, the Yaqui people gives praise to the deer’s spirit, shows the harmony and balance that exist between nature and man, and says thanks to the cycle of

life.
The Deer Dance isn’t only composed of graceful movement but also of the dress of the dancer. The dancer is wearing a head piece which resembles the head and horns of a deer. The head piece is tied around the dancer’s chin with a leather strip. The dancer is also wearing only breechcloth around the waist. On his belt, he has deer hoofs hanging. And, around his ankles, he has cocoon rattles that are used produce the sound of leaves being blown in the wind. He is also wearing a wood mask that has a human or goat face painted on it. This outfit enhances the emotion and feelings of freedom, wilderness, and existence between man and nature that is portrayed in the Deer Dance.
The Deer Dance is not complete without music. The music for this dance is created with the reed flute, percussion, rasps, and rattles. There is also chanting that assist the dancers. The music along with the dancing moves and costumes creates a spectacular performance that honors the deer’s spirit with great thanks.
The Deer Dance and its music is the most popular music/dance of the Yaqui people. The dancer is known as a pascola which means Easter. The deer dancers, or pascola dancers, normally perform the Deer Dance many times during the year at religious and social gatherings. The dance is especially performed many times during Lent and Easter. The deer dancer doesn’t just know and perform the dance. He is normally hosting the parties and a story teller.