This document provides instructions for performing the traditional Mexican dance "La Cucaracha." The objectives are to correctly interpret the dance with proper steps, costumes and formations. The dance involves partners performing basic steps like cross-waltz steps while turning and moving around each other to traditional Mexican music divided into parts A and B. The costumes distinguish male and female roles and involve items like embroidered blouses, skirts, and sombreros. Terminology for the dance steps is also defined.

1. Lesson Objectives:
1. To interpret La cucaracha with the proper counting, costume and
formations;
2. To identify the basic steps and terminologies used in La cucaracha; and
3. To perform the basic steps and terminologies learned from the previous
chapter.
La Cucaracha means “The Little Cockroach.” This is a dance known to all Mexico.
COSTUME:
Girl – white short- sleeved blouse heavily embroidered in beads with a full
skirt of green and red (occasionally white). The skirt reaches down to the ankle. High
heeled slippers are worn. Over the blouse a long sash or scarf called a “roboza” is
arranged in a certain way. At its middle it is drawn straight across the waist of breast,
crossed at the back, and the ends drawn up over the shoulders and left hanging down
loosely each side in front od else the ends are tucked down each side under the sash in
front. The hair is worn in two braids.
Boys – white “blouse” shirt, a low-cut vest, a jacket cut something like a long
bolero, and long rather tightly fitting pants decorated sometimes with silver buttons.
On his head he has a huge sombrero and on his arm he carries his brightly colored
“zarape.”
MUSIC – is divided into two parts A and B.

2. COUNT - one, two, three to a measure.
FORMATION – couples are arranged informally around the room. The boy clasps his hands
around his back; the girl holds her skirt gracefully at the side. For class instruction or
demonstration, the participants may be arranged in any desired formation. Partners stand by
side, the girl is on the right of the boy.
ABBREVIATION USED
M – measure or measures
Ct. – count
Cts. – counts
L – left
R – right
Figure 1
Music A – play once.
Partners stand side by side facing front.
(a) Throughout the figure partners turn slightly away and toward each other. They
perform cross-waltz steps in place. The first step (ct. 1) is strongly accented with a
decided “dop” of the knees in this dance. Starting with the inside foot, take eight
cross-waltz steps in place. Girl holding skirt, boy clasp hands behind (8 M).
Figure 2
Music A – play once.
Partners face each other and do the cross-waltz steps revolving around each other.
(a) Starting with the R foot take eight cross-waltz steps forward moving clockwise.
Crossing the R foot over L, turns the body to the left and brings them into a position
touching R elbows. When L foot is across the R, the left elbows are touching (8M).
Lesson 1: La Cucaracha (Mexico)

3. Figure 3
Music B – play two times.
Partners stand side by side facing front.
The following direction is for the boy; it is reverse for the girl.
(a) Boy steps sideward L (ct. 1), step R close to L foot (ct. 2), step L sideward left again
(ct. 3). Stamp R foot in place (ct. 1), pause (cts. 2, 3), put weight on the R foot (2M).
(b) Three step turn L away from partners (cts. 1, 2, 3). Stamp R foot twice, keeping the
weight on the L foot (cts. 1, 2), pause (ct. 3) (2M).
(c) Step R sideward toward partner (ct. 1), step L close to R (ct. 2), step R sideward again
(ct. 3). Step L foot on place (ct. 1), stamp R foot twice (cts. 2, 3) (2M).
(d) Starting with the R foot, three steps sideward R to change place with partner. The girl
passes in front of the boy (cts. 1, 2, 3). Stamp L foot (ct. 1), pause (cts. 2, 3) (2M)
(e) Repeat all (a-d) starting with the opposite foot, finish in original position (8M)
Figure 4
Music A – play once.
Partners are still side by side facing front.
(a) Starting with the outside foot, take seven cross-waltz steps forward. Hands as in
figure 1 (a) (7M).
(b) Boy takes one waltz balance forward R, the girl spins around clockwise (1M)
Figure 5
Music B – play once.
Partners side by side, as this step is being performed couples move little backward.
(a) Starting with the inside foot, take three steps sideward to partner’s place. The gorl
passes in front of the boy (cts. 1, 2, 3). Stamp twice with the inside foot (cts. 1, 2),
pause (ct. 3) (2M).
(b) Repeat (a) returning to position. The boy passes in front this time (2M).
(c) Repeat all (a and b) (4M).
Lesson 1: La Cucaracha (Mexico)

4. Figure 6
Music A – play once.
Repeat figure 1 (8M)
Figure 7
Music A – play once.
Partners face each other.
Repeat figure 2 at the last measure the boy places his sombrero on the girl’s head (8M).
You can watch the video of the dance on the DVD presentation.
Lesson 1: La Cucaracha (Mexico)

5. Practice Quiz:
Answer the following:
1. Write down the fundamental dance positions of the arms and the feet used in this
dance.
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2. Enumerate the basic steps used in the dance and write their corresponding dance
patterns.
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3. Enumerate the dance terminologies that you have encountered in the dance then write their
step pattern.
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4. What is the symbol of the dance? Why?
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5. Does the dance show the culture of the Mexican? How?
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Lesson 1: La Cucaracha (Mexico)
Shall We Dance!!!
Perform the La Cucaracha dance in front of the class with music and proper
costume.
You can watch the video of the dance on the DVD presentation.
After the dance, answer the following checklist:
Questions: Yes No
1. Did you execute the basic steps accurately?
2. Did you follow the dance steps properly?
3. Have you felt the essence of the dance?
4. Did you perform the dance properly?
5. Did you love the dance?
After answering the checklist, write your conclusion about the dance and about your
performance.
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Lesson 1: La Cucaracha (Mexico)