The Papantla Flyers of Playa del Carmen, Mexico

When I arrived in the eastern-most corner of Mexico, I’d never heard of this ritual. It wasn’t until I checked into Playa del Carmen and took a beach stroll that I stumbled upon it, in Fundadores Park. What a curiosity.

Five ornately dressed fellows climb to the top of a thirty metre pole, four of them attach themselves to rope by the waist, as a fifth literally dances on the top of the pole while playing a flute and beating a drum. The ‘flying bird men’ then launch themselves backwards like scuba divers off a boat, and gradually descend in a spiral as the rope uncoils itself from the pole. Apparently, this is essentially a 'rain dance' in the hopes of a good harvest. Amazing to see.