This ceramic (fired clay) sculpture depicts a pole dance ceremony held by the Nayarit people of ancient Mexico to encourage and protect a good harvest. The Nayarit lived almost 2,000 years ago, but a similar dance is still performed in parts of Mexico. The Nayarit dancers held feathers in their hands and perched on the top of the pole, then “flew” down to the ground, slowly unwinding long ties which were attached to the pole and wrapped many times around their waists. The dancers lowered themselves to the ground so gracefully that they appeared to fly.
