“It was something that was totally repressed in the 19th century but it was there. Even as news coverage faded, the long-term impact of the dance and its coverage would be to shine a light on a group of people who had never held any public place in society-positive or negative. News about the event dominated headlines during those few weeks and would only die down after the men were forced to leave and serve the troops. They were tasked with menial duties such as digging trenches and sweeping floors.ĭuring the weeks following the arrests, the public was both disgusted and fascinated by the dance.
Afterwards, the men were shipped to Yucatán to assist troops in their fight against the Mayans, but not by taking up arms. As part of their condemnation, the men were taken to jail, with the men dressed in women’s clothes being forced to sweep the streets in their attire.
