EVOLUTION OF DANCE IN PERU (PRE-COLUMBIAN ERA-TODAY) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The evolution of dance in Peru did not stop with the colonial era. On the contrary, this artistic expression continues to transform itself today. Today, contemporary dances, such as ballet, have been developed.

The dance of Peru is a form of artistic expression that has evolved from pre-Columbian times to the present day. In the beginning, Peruvian dances and dances were related to religious rituals, worship of the gods, and agriculture.

However, during the time of the conquest the dances of Peru were adapted. This adaptation was made to include European and African elements: the two main cultures that were introduced into the territory of the country.

The music that accompanies these dances is also a mixture of the sounds of the Incan, Quechua and Aymara aboriginal peoples, as well as Spanish and African rhythms.

Similarly, many of the dances of this nation attest to the beliefs of Aboriginal peoples and how they merged with European religions.

The Peruvian dances that are observed today are an amalgam that demonstrate the cultural richness of this nation.

Prehispanic dances

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the native peoples of Peru had already developed the dance. The dances of this period dealt with themes related to agriculture, hunting, war and the worship of the gods.

Dances of pre-Hispanic times

The footprint of the Incas

An example of pre-Hispanic dance is "the footprint of the Incas", also known as Huayno. This dance is accompanied by a song sung in Quechua. For this reason, the Huayno is considered one of the Peruvian dances with the strongest aboriginal roots.

The Huayno evolved from the Huayñucuni. The latter was also an intimate aboriginal dance, so intimate that it was not practiced in public.

Later the Huayno emerged, which varies from one region to another. For example, the Huayno del norte is characterized by cheerful and energetic steps. In contrast, the Huayno del sur presents slower rhythms. Finally, the downtown Huayno has fast rhythms accompanied by songs with tragic lyrics.

Huanca

The Huanca dance is originally from the Amazon region of Peru and is practiced in the city of the same name. This dance was related to the religious rituals of the Peruvian aborigines. It was mainly done to guarantee a good harvest.

Today, this dance is still performed when there are activities related to agriculture.

Sara kutipay

Sara kutipay means "the cultivation of corn." This is a dance of Inca origin. It is a danced representation of the work of aboriginal farmers.

The sara kutipay demonstrates the discipline, group work and perseverance that characterized the Inca cultures of Peru.

Colonial dances

With the arrival of the Spanish to the Peruvian territory, the traditional dances of Peru began to include certain foreign aspects.

In this way, they began to deal with themes of Catholicism, such as the Virgin Mary and the saints. Likewise, the harp and the violin became the predominant instruments that accompanied these dances.

On the other hand, in the colonial period aspects of African cultures were also included, especially of the Mandingo ethnic tribes. The African influence is seen in the rhythms (for example, the drums).

Dances of the colonial era

The grandparents of Quipán

An example of colonial dance is that of “los abuelitos de Quipán”, a dance of Andean origin (Quechua) with Spanish elements. This takes place in the month of July, on the occasion of the celebrations in honor of the Virgen del Carmen.

The dance is performed with a group of male dancers dressed in the European style, wearing clear masks. These men represent the former Spanish governors of Quipán.

This dance is considered to bring good luck. This is because Quipán declared its independence three months after the residents of the city performed the dance of "the grandparents" in front of the Argentine general José de San Martín.

The Creole waltz

The criollo waltz, also called the Peruvian waltz, is another example of how the country's dance evolved during colonial times. This dance is based on the traditional European waltz, but both Aboriginal and African elements are added.

The dance of Chachapoyas

The chumaichada or the Chachapoyas dance is a dance from the Amazon region that emerged during colonial times. The music used in this dance is of indigenous origin, but the dance steps are of European origin.

The chumaichada is inspired by “los lanceros”, a French dance that was introduced in Peru thanks to Monsignor Emilio Lissón (who was of French origin).

Tondero

The tondero is a dance from the coastal region of Peru. This dance has its origin in the dance of the flyers, practiced by the Roma (better known as gypsies) who arrived from Spain. Eventually, the dance of the flyers was combined with African and indigenous rhythms.

This dance tells the story of two birds that fell in love. The dancers must execute smooth and fluid movements, which will represent the flight of the two birds.

The name changed from "volanderos" to "tondero" due to the sound produced by African drums "ton ton ton".

Bundle of blacks

The hatajo de negritos is a dance that was performed in the plantations of the colonies during Christmas to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus. This dance was typical of the central region of Peru, mainly Huanuco and Pasco.

This dance mixes African elements (such as the zapateo) and Spanish (the singing of Christmas carols and instruments such as the violin and bells).

Contemporary dances

Currently, in Peru pre-Hispanic and colonial dances are still practiced, which are considered an essential part of the country's culture.

Likewise, it has given way to the practice of contemporary dances, which have become popular throughout the world. Among these emerging dances, ballet and modern dance stand out.

Contemporary dances are very versatile when it comes to music and choreography. In the same way, they are a vehicle for the expression of the feelings and emotions of the performer.

References

1. Peruvian dances. Retrieved on August 24, 2017, from wikipedia.org
2. 21 Beautiful Peruvian Dances that I Want the World to Know About. Retrieved on August 24, 2017, from xpatnation
3. Peruvian Dance. Retrieved on August 24, 2017, from about-peru-history.com
4. Afro-Peruvian Music and Dance. Retrieved on August 24, 2017, from festival.si.edu
5. Culture of Peru. Retrieved on August 24, 2017, from wikipedia.org
6. Music of Peru. Retrieved on August 24, 2017, from wikipedia.org
7. Peruvian Dances. Retrieved on August 24, 2017, from ulima.edu.pe.