CUECA NORTINA: ORIGIN AND HISTORY, CLOTHING AND HOW IT IS DANCED - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The northern cueca is a traditional dance from the northern region of Chile, especially from the towns of Iquique, Arica and Loa. It is also considered a type of musical genre. This dance is characterized because there are formations of mixed couples, where there are steps and jumps.

It is believed that it is a manifestation of the courtship of the man to the woman, although experts indicate that it does not always have a love connotation. It is a dance practiced in several countries and in different regions of Chile; the nortina specifically is of utmost importance in religious and agricultural celebrations and in Carnival, where steps are even improvised.

There is no exact origin of this dance, but it is believed that it came from the musical expressions of the Spaniards who settled on the continent.

Origin and history

To talk about the northern cueca, it is important to point out the origin of the cueca as such, since the different styles that currently stand out in the region emerged from it.

As noted above, according to historians there is no clear history of the cueca. However, two theories are raised:

-One is related to the gypsy-Andalusian musical traditions, imported by the Spanish who settled throughout the country.

-Another premise postulates that the cueca is rather a variation of the zamueca, a Spanish dance that reached the south of the continent, and was generalized by the practices carried out by slaves between the s. XVIII and s. XIX.

At this point a notable differentiation was made between other similar dances, because in this Chilean zamueca or Chilean cueca there was greater emphasis on music and not so exaggerated dance steps.

Important data

Some main features of the history of the cueca and the northern cueca can be highlighted:

-According to records, the disclosure of the cueca occurred thanks to its appearance in canteens and other social centers in the towns, especially during the s. XIX.

-The northern cueca was especially influenced by the migratory movements of Peruvians to the territory and by the social characteristics of the Andean people in the area, for which there was a combination of folkloric aspects that combine ancestral traditions with other foreign ones.

-Over time a series of instruments were integrated during the interpretation of the cueca. In the case of the nortina, the quena, the bombo, the panpipe, the tromón, the tuba and the trumpet are used.

-As a consequence of the war against the Peru-Bolivia Federation, the cueca was exported to those lands, even to Mexico. In fact, in Peru it became popular at the end of the s. XIX; there these dances were called "marineras".

-During the s. In the XX century, the cueca settled in different neighborhoods of the Chilean capital, to become a popular expression of the most humble class. In 1940 its popularity rose again, thanks to the musical group Los Hermanos Campos.

-Finally, it was declared a national dance in 1979, due to its influence in all regions of the country.

characteristics

-It is a dance linked to religious and agricultural festivals.

-Unlike the rest of the cuecas, this one lacks lyrics, so there is only melody played by various Andean wind instruments, such as trumpets and tubas.

-The men's movement is faster, without so many stomping, and overall it looks like a waltz, although on certain occasions it does allow some jumps.

- It tends to allow a certain degree of improvisation and informality on the part of the dancers.

-Her clothing has Aymara and Quechua influences.

-It is carried out in the main regions to the north of Chile (Andean and foothill populations): Iquique, Arica, Antofagasta and Loa.

-There is a conjugation of the Andean customs of the highlands and of the communities belonging to nations that are in the vicinity of the north of Chile.

-There are no ostentatious or elaborate steps. In fact, the movements are slow and waltzed.

Clothing of the northern cueca

In general terms, the clothing of the northern cueca is influenced by Aymara and Quechua clothing, so there is a presence of colorful garments:

mens

They wear pants made of cotton, a sash at the waist (which acts as a belt), a short jacket, a shirt, a hat, and shoes, which can be boots.

Women

They use a white blouse, a blanket of any color that must match the long skirt, backpack, sandals, hat and pompoms.

Both men and women make use of handkerchiefs that they move at will, waving on the head and more or less close to the partner.

How dance?

All basins are governed by a series of general steps and movements. As for the northern cueca, the steps simulate a waltz and the man tends to move faster, although without so many jumps:

-The man invites the woman to dance.

-To the rhythm of the Andean orchestra, there is a walk on the dance floor. In this part the dance has not yet begun.

-After finishing the walk, the couple faces each other and then begins to dance.

-A series of laps are started when the bass drum or bells are heard.

-The brushing is one of the most beautiful steps of the dance, since it requires synchronization on the part of the dancers. In the northern cueca it manifests itself even more with the movement of a handkerchief or through the approach of the man towards the woman.

-Afterwards, a first round is made and then a movement similar to brushing (or crescent).

-Stapping for women is optional, while men do it without highlighting the toe or heel.

-When the auction is made, it is performed as a waltz, where the woman intertwines her arm with the man. After this you return to the starting point.

References

1. Dances from the north of Chile. (sf). In Icarito. Retrieved: May 11, 2018. In Icarito de icarito.cl.
2. Cueca. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: May 11, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
3. Cueca: Key facts of our national dance. (2014). In Guioteca. Recovered: May 11, 2018. In Guioteca de guioteca.com.
4. Northern Cueca. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: May 11, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
5. Northern Cueca. (sf). In La cueca, our national dance. Retrieved: May 11, 2018. In La cueca, our national dance from sites.google.com.
6. Garcia, Javier. Long, popular and brave: the history of the cueca. (sf). In the third. Retrieved: May 11, 2018. In La Tercera de latercera.com.
7. The cueca. (sf). In Chilean Memory. Retrieved: May 11, 2018. In Memoria Chilena de memoriachilena.cl.