High above the ground, five men climb a towering pole — one to play music, and four to fly. This is La Danza de los Voladores, or The Dance of the Flying Men, an ancient Mesoamerican ritual still performed in parts of Mexico and Central America. Once they reach the top, the leader, known as the caporal, plays a flute and drum to honor the gods — especially those of rain, fertility, and harvest. Then, the four “flyers” launch themselves backward, each tied by a rope around the waist. As the ropes

782K views · 9.2K reactions | For the past 600 years, dancers in Papantla, Mexico, have taken to the skies to perform the acrobatic spectacle, the Danza de los Voladores, as tribute to the sun deity. This Great Big Story was made in partnership with Toyota Latino. #Camry | Great Big Story | Facebook