Mérida Celebrates 43 Years of the Traditional Vaquería Yucateca Performances

Mérida’s weekly celebration of its cultural heritage continued Monday night as the city marked 43 uninterrupted years of the traditional Vaquería Yucateca in frontof the Municipal Palace. The folkloric ballet performed to classic jaranas including “La fiesta del pueblo,” “Aires Yucatecos,” and “Chinito Koy Koy.”

The Vaquería tradition dates back to colonial times, when Spanish settlers introduced cattle ranching to the Yucatán Peninsula. Originally, these celebrations marked cattle branding and counting events at haciendas and ranches. They emerged as a fusion of Spanish, Indigenous Maya, and African cultural elements that reached its peak in the mid-18th century.

The term vaquería originally referred to a cowboy or cattle ranching festival, but it evolved into a vibrant celebration combining music, dance, and community spirit. Traditionally, the vaquería consists of three celebrations: mass, bullfight, and dance.

The current weekly program began on July 5, 1982, under the direction of Luis Pérez Sabido, who served as Director of Culture and Tourism. Pérez Sabido, a prominent cultural promoter, established the Municipal Palace vaquerías as part of his broader efforts to preserve Yucatecan traditions.

Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada emphasized the importance of the celebration as a cultural landmark for the city and expressed her commitment to preserving and promoting Yucatecan traditions. The Mérida City Hall Jaranera Orchestra, directed by maestro Edwin Irineo Canul Cuxim, accompanied the traditional Regional Monday presentation.

The jarana is the typical folk dance of Yucatán, featuring two types: the 6×8 jarana, a vigorous tap dance derived from Andalusian influences, and the 3×4 jarana, a waltz-like dance with Aragonese jota elements. A unique feature is the bomba—when male dancers spontaneously yell the word, all music stops while one participant recites a humorous rhyme before dancing resumes.

The Vaquería Yucateca has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage of the state and has positioned itself as one of the favorite events for locals and visitors in the heart of the city. Free performances are held every Monday at 9 p.m. outside the Municipal Palace and Sundays at 1 p.m. Learn more about this tradition at Yucatan Today.

Attendees at the anniversary celebration included Flora Zapata Mendiolea, General Coordinator of Social Justice and Human Development; Karla Berrón Cámara, Director of Identity and Culture; and Councilwoman Genny Palomo Méndez.

During special occasions like Day of the Dead, the traditional vaquería takes on unique themes, featuring up to 60 costumed dancers in special presentations that honor cultural traditions.