Colima - Dancing Figure Whistle - Walters 20092029 - Back

Dance, among the most ephemeral of the arts, was central to Mesoamerican civilization. Dance performances, as attested by their depiction on vases and other utilitarian objects such as this whistle, typically encompassed rhythmic, structured movement, often by a group of people. Music was a vital element, frequently supplied by the dancers themselves. Performances served to bring together the community by reifying shared beliefs of social behavior, recounting seminal histories-both historical and mythic-and incarnating religious ideologies. As communal theater, performers were bedecked in ostentatious costumes that served to remove them from their social identities and the everyday reality of the community. The elaborate costuming and staging also elevated the event from a simple entertainment to an impressive, even iconic spectacle. This festooned dancer bends his knees and stretches out his arms as if frozen in mid-motion. Small holes in his hands likely accommodated dance fans or other performance accouterments. Necklaces composed of round beads, perhaps of precious jadeite, and a variety of bands adorn his wrists and legs. A wide neckpiece draped over the figure's shoulders and chest may have been made from pieces of cut shell. His sleeveless shirt might represent a tufted textile or animal hide, although it also recalls portrayals of the flayed skin of a sacrificial victim worn by celebrants as part of the rites of the deity Xipe Totec. The dancer's loincloth and overskirt are tied at the back with a large bow that resembles a bustle. A decorated textile band is wrapped adroitly around his head and secured by a strap below his chin. This object is a whistle, likely played by a performer similar to the dancer depicted by the instrument; its mouthpiece is found at the back of the figure's head.