THE 5 MOST POPULAR TYPICAL LAMBAYEQUE DANCES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The typical dances of Lambayeque are the tondero, the northern marinera, the Peruvian waltz, the huaylas and the zamacueca. All these dances have a great centuries-old tradition.

Some date from pre-colonial times, when the Lambayeque or Sicán culture of northern Peru was the predominant one in the area.

As a consequence of that indigenous past mixed with Hispanic influences, other artistic varieties emerged, such as music and dance.

In the territory of the current department of Lambayeque, a large number of dances are concentrated that vary depending on the geographical coordinates.

The 5 most typical dances of Lambayeque

1- The fool

The tondero is one of the most representative dances in northern Peru. It is very common in the departments of Lambayeque and Piura.

Its origin is in the migrants who arrived from southern Spain and eastern Europe. Its adaptation in Peru introduced some modifications on the original characteristics.

In its classical version it is a lively and happy mixed dance. Its representation imitates the dance of the birds during their mating ritual.

The specific steps to be executed will depend on the skills of each of the dancers.

Among the instruments used for music are the guitar, the Peruvian cajon and the spoons. In more modern versions drums and trumpets are added.

2- The northern sailor

This dance has African and Spanish roots. It is the most typical and well-known dance on the Peruvian coast.

It is considered an evolution of another traditional Lambayeque dance called the zamacueca, very popular in the 19th century.

In music multiple instruments are used according to the regional variety. The most common are the guitar, the double bass, the charango, the harp, the tambourine and the trombone. As for the dance technique, it is showy and cheerful, representing love and happiness.

It requires a specific clothing for men and women. In addition, the woman's hairstyle denotes her marital status: single, engaged, married or widowed.

3- The Peruvian waltz

The cultural origin of this dance is found in Peru in the 18th and 19th centuries. It arises from a mixture of Creole and Afro-Peruvian rhythms.

In the instrumental part, the Creole guitar, the Peruvian cajon, the castanets, the accordion and the piano stand out.

As can be seen from some of these instruments, it is an elegant dance that was performed in the halls of the time.

It is one of the most international dances, since it spread to other countries in Latin America and Europe.

4- The huaylas

Also known by the name of Huaylasrh, it is a traditional indigenous dance. Its origin seems to go back to colonial times, and geographically it is located in the mountains of northern Peru.

This is due to the link between this dance and the sowing and harvesting of local products. Formerly it was the joyful expression of the peasants at those times of the year when it was time to work the land and receive its fruits.

Today it preserves that spirit and some towns still celebrate these festivities.

5- The zamacueca

The zamacueca is a traditional Peruvian dance that emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries during the time of the viceroyalty.

His ethnic origin is gypsy and Afro-Peruvian, a mixture of both happy and worldly cultures.

Today, in northern Peru it is performed as a loose, mixed dance, in which the man lovingly besieges the woman.

It resembles the fool in meaning and in some movements. Some theories place the zamacueca as the origin or inspiration of the tondero and the northern marinera.

References

1. "La Marinera: national dance of Peru", Carlos Aguilar Luna-Victoria. (1989).
2. "Music and dances in the festivals of Peru", Gustavo Rodríguez Amado. (nineteen ninety five).
3. "Her Majesty the Marinera", Pepe Bárcenas. (1990).
4. Dances of Lambayeque. Dances of Peru, in Yachachic, yachachic.com
5. The Peruvian tondero, in Art and Culture, dearteycultura.com