5 pesos – Jarabe Tapatío

Series: Mexico – Ibero-American Series

This coin is dedicated to one of the most representative Mexican folk-dances. Its history dates back since the XV century in Spain, where people used to dance in a very animated three rhythm beat. Mexico as well as the rest of the Spanish colonies inherited this influence and people started to compose songs an dances similar to Spain's Jarabe Gitano. These type of dances became very popular among the residents of the New Spain during 1683. The main theme of the songs and dances was to mock and make mordant remarks about politicians, authorities, nobility and the church.

Generally, this type of dances were forbidden until its choreography was dignified by the Jarabe Tapatio in 1780 and 1790. Very similar in rhythm to those from its ancestors, the Jarabe Tapatío distinguished itself by the elegance of the steps and the sobriety of the dancers' movements, since they must gracefully make different drawings with their feet on a wooden platform, keeping the rest of the body in an upright position, while the legs are rapidly moving keeping the step of the dance.