The cacharpaya or kacharpaya designates a traditional Andean song and dance belonging to the Guayno or Wayñ rhythm. Its origin is pre-Columbian, from the Quechua and Aymara cultures. It is part of the festivities dedicated to the fertility of Pachamama, Mother Earth.
The term "cacharpaya" comes from the Quechua word that means farewell, to say goodbye. It is also used to say goodbye to the carnival, virginity, family members, friends who leave and the dead after the third year of death.
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This festival is celebrated in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and the north of Chile and Argentina. Its characteristics vary in each country and within each country depending on the level of miscegenation of the population, the locality and the cultural characteristics of the communities.
It is an expression of the cultural mix of the indigenous and the Spanish. In some indigenous communities it retains its original features.
Farewell song
Musically it is done in 2/4 binary time combining 3/4 measures. Originally performed with different types of reed flutes, panpipes, quenas, percussion instruments, bass drums and drums.
In the colonial period, chordophones were added to the charango (a version of the Spanish guitar with its own unique characteristics). With the miscegenation and the redevelopment of customs, new instruments were integrated: trombones, trumpets, bombadillos, cymbals, snare, accordion, guitars, cuatros, basses and violins. With modernity and technology, electric guitars and equalizers were added.
Its composition as a musical group is very varied and very rich, from the interpretation with solitary flutes without choreographic accompaniment in small meetings. Also the traditional sets of flutes, charango and drum in the peñas, patios of the houses or cemeteries.
As a dance or dance, lines are formed that are executed by various figures linking and separating in the shape of a snail to the rhythm of the music.
In some celebrations people dance in pairs without leaving the collective choreography. It can be seen in groups in the streets of the town and in the esplanades at the exit of the town while the musicians and relatives say goodbye.
Origin and History
The cacharpaya has its origin in indigenous communities. For the Aymara it is part of the fertility ritual of the land.
The cultivation of potatoes serves as a framework for his worldview about the world. This tuber is one of the bases of social relations in a community where respect for nature is the most important.
With the beginning of the rains and the flowering of the potato, the time of the feminine, the earth and the moon begins. The whole community meets on February 2nd.
Product of cultural syncretism and colonization, in this festival the Virgen de la Candelaria symbolizes the Pachamama. She is grateful for the harvest to come.
From this festival, the fate of agricultural production is tied to the life or death of the family and the community. After the festivity, the residents go to the city in order to acquire what is necessary for the festivities.
Starting on Sunday and Carnival Monday, the game or Jiska Anata begins, to offer food, flowers, wines and other liquors to the sayañas or properties of the families.
It is also the occasion to hoist the multi-colored Wiphala. It has among its 49 multicolored squares arranged diagonally a central white row, which means the flow of triumph in the wind and is the symbol of the Andean indigenous peoples.
The cacharpaya is also the celebration of the end of virginity. While the single young men dance, they invite the young women to go with them to start a couple and family.
Cacharpaya as a Creole custom
As part of the carnival, the cacharpaya has spread as a custom beyond the indigenous communities and remaining as a contribution that has given rise to many variants.
In some Andean communities, a doll dressed as a Creole mestizo is made that goes from house to house begging for food and drink. At the end he is buried in a pit with flowers and offerings. The partygoers share what they received.
But the cacharpaya has also spread beyond the carnival. It is also used to dismiss the deceased as part of the commemoration of all saints.
The mourners meet in the third year of death and say goodbye to their loved one with music. This is an indigenous custom adopted by Catholicism in the Andean region.
As is customary, the deceased is mourned until the third year and is honored with the cacharpaya as a farewell. The following years, although they are remembered, the deceased is already part of the family's set of ancestors.
Clothing
Just as part of the representation varies from country to country, the same happens with clothing. However, we will describe some outfits that are generally worn.
The woman is dressed in a long skirt that goes below the knee, generally in solid color with discreet decorations on the lower edge. These may consist of the colors of the local flag or another type of ornament.
At the top a light blouse, usually white. And on the neck a handkerchief or scarf with the same colors as the skirt.
As for shoes, flip flops or shoes without heels are used. The use of a hat will vary according to the country and region of your celebration.
In those localities where women wear hats, the hairstyle is a long braid that protrudes from the back of the hat.
For their part, men wear long dark-colored pants, usually black. In the upper part a ribbon is placed as a belt. On top of the white shirt they wear a dark vest and dark hat.
References
- Waman Carbo, Cristián (2006). Ethnomotor skills and indigenous dances in the Kollasuyu. Educational Thought Vol. 38. Recovered from: thoughteducativo.uc.cl
- (S / D). Huayno and the cacharpaya. National Library of Chile. Recovered from: memoriachilena.cl
- Shock, Virginio S. (2015). Nomination system of original authorities in the Ayllu Bombo. Recovered from: flacsoandes.edu.ec
- Mareco, Alejandro (2007). Cacharpaya sunrise. Recovered from: file.lavoz.com.ar
- Plata, Wilfredo and others. (2003). Visions of development in Aymara communities. Recovered from: books.google.co.ve