The Concheros of Mexico: A Search for Ethnic Identity

In this article I look at the dance of the Concheros as a religious tradition linked to popular culture that has constantly undergone invention. I attempt to show how it has been used in the past, but more especially how it is being used at present by certain groups within a wider organization to create social and, more particularly, ethnic identity. The Concheros meet to hold all-night vigils and to perform a ritual dance on a number of occasions throughout the year. They describe themselves as warriors (guerreros). As far as they are concerned the 'reconquest' of Mexico for the Mexicans did not end with the revolution of 1910 and has still to be attained. For the