In Mexico, as in other countries, there is a type of dance drama which treats the topic of military conquest. In this article, a musicalpattern, known as the "reverencia", which is characteristic of these dances, is identified. An analysis of about twenty traditional mexican examples of this genre are reported in an attempt to establish the form of the "reverencia" which distinguishes itfrom the other types of music which accompany each dance,and the place which "reverencia" occupies in each performance.It is suggested that the "reverencia" is a modern version of the war cries used by armies enganged in real battles, such as the Conquest of Tenochtitlan or of other parts of the Mexicanterritory.En México como en otros países, hay un tipo de danza-drama que versa sobre el tema de la conquista militar. En este artículo, un patrón musical, conocido como la reverencia, que es característica de estas danzas. El análisis de veinte ejemplos de este género tradicional mexicana son reportados en un intento por establecer la forma de la reverencia que lo distingue de otros estilos musicales que acompañan este festejo.