Dance in Peru

Marinera Norteña,one of the most representativedancesin Peru.

Dance in Peruis an art form primarily of native origin. There are alsodancesthat are related toagricultural work,huntingandwar.In Peru dancing bears an important cultural significance. Somechoreographiesshow certain Christian influence.

Types of dances

• The most internationally known dance in Peru is theMarinera Norteña.This dance represents a man's courting of a young woman. There are local variants of this dance in theLima Regionand the other regions of the country.
• Ancash is a dance performed in Piscobamba (Ancash Region), on the occasion of the feast of the Virgin of Mercy, on the 25th, 26th and 27 September.
• Apu Inkais a dance which re-enacts the capture of the Inca by the Spanish invaders.
• Ch'unchuis a dance performed at festivals of theCuscoRegion.
• Danzantes de Levanto,a typical dance from theAmazonas Region.
• El Vals Criollo (Vals peruano) is a subgenre and musical adaptation of the original European waltz, originated in Peru or also called a genre of Afro-Peruvian Creole music.
• Huaconada(Wanka) is a ritual dance that is represented in the town of Mito,Concepción Province,Junín Region,located in the Central Andes of Peru.
• Qhapaq Qullais a dance performed at festivals of the Cusco Region.
• Supaypa wasin tusuq(Quechuafor "dancer of the devil's house" ) or Danza de tijeras (Spanishfor "dance of scissors" ) is an indigenous dance native to the region ofAyacucho,no relation to the highlands, with musical framework provided byviolinandharp,which later spread to theHuancavelicaandApurímacRegions.
• Tarkada is a dance performed during the carnival festival in theTacna Regionin Peru.
• Tondero, also known as Marinera of Alto Piura, Piura yunga or (Morropón). It predates the zamacueca, and with much gypsy influence in its beat, singing tragic and repetitive guitar tundete, or black African influence in its chorus and rhythm (using an instrument made from a dried gourd) and Andean in its rather shrill tone.
• Wari,a traditional dance of the Ancash Region.
• Waylas (Huaylarsh) is a dance from theMantaro Valleyin the department ofJunin,in the central Andean part of Peru. It is a very lively and cheerful dance, characterized by the energy and jumping of the dancers. It is danced by pairs of dancers. It originated in association with the potato harvest.
• Wititi is a native Peruvian folk dance from Tapay district, Province of Caylloma, Arequipa region in southern Peru. This dance has now spread and is danced in the festivities of many villages the Colca Canyon. Witi Witi inQuechuameans "making love"
• Zamacuecais music and a dance that originated in the Viceroyalty of Peru in colonial times, taking its roots from African, Spanish, and Andean rhythms.

Amazonas Region

La Chumaichada

La Chumaichada originated in Chachapoyasis and is known as "the dance ofChachapoyas".No holiday or celebration is complete if it is not danced.

The music is probably of Indian origin, but thechoreographyhas a French origin stemming from "Los Lanceros" (thelancers), a dance introduced inChachapoyasby thebishopof thedioceseat that time,monsignorEmilio Lissón,of French origin. It has been said that he had so much influence that the city became Frenchified during his time.

Los Danzantes de Levanto

Main article:Danzantes de Levanto

Levantois a little town about 10 km fromChachapoyas,whose "dancers" form a very well trained showy group of thirteencholos,guided by a "pifador" (a person who whistles) who plays theantaraand a smalldrumcalled thetinyasimultaneously.

They wear a white shirt of wide and long sleeves, a black vest adorned with red ribbons and black trousers, and a crown of showypeacockfeathers. Their presence is important in all the big celebrations of the region.

Other well-known dances performed in diverse localities are:

• The "Conchiperla",in which the man gives ahandkerchiefto his partner; he must keep akneeon the ground and must drink a glass ofliqueurif he fails.
• The "Trapichillo",danced by four couples holding their right hands and turning anticlockwise.
• The "Quinsamana",in whichinsultcompliments are mixed.

Carnaval in Amazonas

The "carnivalmusic"that is played is euphoric. It is similar to thehuayno.Pairs dance forming thepandilla(a kind of dance) around thehumishas- trees adorned with quitasueños, small mirrors, ornamental chain stitches and pennants. These trees are filled with gifts, including live animals, which the guests take when thetrees are knocked down at the end of the celebration.

The pair who fell thehumishain aMardi Grascelebration have to make a newhumishathe next year.

See also

• Culture of Peru