Picture a group of dancers with brightly colored skirts, embroidered jackets and hats, and fleet feet that tap out a syncopated beat as lively music plays. The women fan out their skirts, rippling them like waves as they twirl and stamp.

This is folklórico, a dance style with as much complexity, variety, and history as the country of Mexico itself. Folklórico actually refers to many traditional dances from Mexico’s different regions and states, rather than one single style, and you could fill multiple books with the details of every dance. Still, if you’re interested in diving into folklórico, there are a few basics you should know.

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Photo by Cynthia Roman, via Dance Spirit