Authorities will seek sanctions against company for mocking the Papantla flyers in an advertisement

The government of Veracruz will seek a sanction against the credit company “Moneyman” that in one of its commercials  humiliated the Papantla flyers; an ancient ritual of the Totonacapan region of the state.

Governor Cuitláhuac García Jiménez regretted that the image of pre-Hispanic aerial dance is used to make fun of in this ad, despite the fact that it is an Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

“We are going to look for legal ways to get the attention of the company that used it. Reminding them that it is a cultural heritage, that we must be careful with what is expressed on commercial ads, because we have to vindicate our native people and I think that it is not a good use” he declared.

The state president announced that he will issue a request to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) so that the actor and host, Arath de la Torre, who appears in a 20-second video using the image of indigenous people, is also sanctioned. 

The advertisement mocks the flyers by saying: “ Do you know how many times the flyers go around the pole when they’re descending? The answer to this question generates zero interest, like the interest generated by your money man loan…”

The ceremony has been considered mankind’s International heritage since 2009. The Federal Culture Secretary  published a statement questioning  the company for the inappropriate use of images and text pertaining to the ceremony.

Source: De Luna