THE 5 MOST POPULAR TYPICAL ANCASH DANCES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The typical dances of Ancash are part of its varied folk and historical heritage. In this coastal and highland department of Peru, the typical dances are a mixture of religious elements and pre-Hispanic traditions.

The typical dances of Ancash reflect the process of miscegenation that occurred after the arrival of the Spanish.

In this sense, religious festivals are the setting where each year these dances take center stage.

Each town in the region celebrates the festivities of its patron saint. These festivals follow a very similar pattern, lasting eight days.

These typical dances are an essential part of the different ritual events during the festivities.

The 5 most typical dances

1- Wankillas

One of the most widespread typical dances of Ancash is the wankillas. In Ancient Peru, the dance of the wankas (a sacred stone) was presented in certain ceremonial centers.

Currently these are carried out during the festival of Our Lady of Mercedes de Carhuaz. The celebrations begin on September 24 and end on October 3.

As for the dancers, they perform the dance in even numbers. Her clothing is colorful, standing out for wearing metal bells in the leggings that produce a characteristic sound.

2- The black ones

The origins of this dance date back to colonial times, when black slaves were temporarily freed around Christmas.

These were organized by the priests to visit churches and demonstrate their veneration for God through songs and dances. In return, they gave them food and drink.

Today, this celebration takes place in Ancash during the fiesta of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. The participants, Quechua peasants, wear black masks.

The dress for the dance consists of white shirts, black pants and red scarves on the shoulders.

The dancers often carry whips and bells, and are accompanied by a man disguised as a bull.

3- Huaridanza

Huaridanza is another of the typical dances of Ancash that enjoys great popularity. It is believed that this dance came to the province of Huari from Pomabamba in the early 20th century.

This would be an agreement between the inhabitants of both provinces to give solemnity to their festivities in honor of their patron saint San Francisco de Asís.

Over time it acquired the style that characterizes it today. The group for this dance is made up of six dancers: a caporal and the vassals.

4- The shacshas

This dance is the most important in the province of Huaraz, capital of Ancash. It takes place within the framework of the Señor de la Soledad festival, from May 3 to 10.

The origin of this veneration dates back to the colonial era, when it replaced a pre-Hispanic cult.

In his choreography, reference is made to certain animals, some economic activities and cosmic figures.

This dance combines representations of the mythical Andean world and expressions of the Christian faith.

5- The antihuanquillas

The antihuanquillas join the typical dances of Ancash that are practiced during the celebration of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes.

It is performed with fourteen dancers, accompanied by harp and violins. The participants wear small ponchos and wear bells under their pants. They also use a cane to beat the beat.

References

1. González, F. (s / f). Ancashino folklore. Retrieved on November 25, 2017, from repositorio.flacsoandes.edu.ec
2. Huanquillas de Pariacaca. (s / f). In Peru in yours. Retrieved on November 25, 2017, from peruestuyo.com
3. UNESCO. (s / f). Andean Music of Life, Work, and Celebration. Retrieved on November 25, 2017, from folkways-media.si.edu
4. Huaridanza. (s / f). In Pomabamba: Folk Capital of Ancash. Retrieved on November 25, 2017, from capitalfolkloricadeancash.es.tl
5. The shacshas of Huaraz. (s / f). In From Peru. Retrieved on November 25, 2017, from deperu.com