Don't miss the flying men in Fundadores Park

Those crazy flying men are something to see. But, it's more than a stunt, it's a tradition.

They are called the Papantia performing a ritual that has been around for more than 500 years. This ritual is now protected as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Also known as “The dance of the flyers”, this ceremony consists of 5 flying men climbing a 30-meter pole from which four of them will launch themselves at the same time tied with ropes to descend to the ground. In the meantime, the fifth man dances on top of the pole playing a drum and a flute while bending fully backward to acknowledge the god of the sun.

They are dressed in red pants, white shirts and a hat, with a red cloth across the chest. This clothing is heavily decorated with handmade embroidery, especially the hat, which is decorated with flowers, mirrors and ribbons to represent fertility, the sun and the rainbow respectively.

According to the tradition, the 4 flying men who descend from the pole represent the 4 cardinal directions, relating each one the 4 elements, earth, air, fire and water and to the 4 birds of the sun: Macaw, eagle, quetzal and mockingbird. The fifth man is called “Caporal” and represents the connection with the sun.

Before climbing the pole, the 5 men are purified with the help of incenses, copal, herbs and chants, so their sacrifice is pleasant to the gods, who in exchange will send rain and prosperity to the village.

The birdmen will circle the pole 13 times before landing, while the caporal plays “The Song of the descending”
Once the flight is completed, the caporal will join the other flying men to keep dancing and playing ritual music on the ground.

This ritual is usually performed as a religious ritual during major festivities, but at Fundadores Park, every day is a festive day! That is why you will find these splendid birdmen enacting this traditional flight every hour to welcome the thousands of tourists who come to this port looking for cultural experiences.