- 5 of the most typical dances and dances of Cajamarca
- 1- The Marinera
- 2- The feathered ones
- 3- Pallas de Cajamarca
- 4- Cashua Cajamarquina
- 5- Chunchos or white dance
- References
The typical dances and dances of Cajamarca, in the northern highlands region of Peru, date back to the fusion of the Inca and Spanish cultures.
Cajamarca is the cradle of Peru because the historic meeting of the Incas and the Spanish took place there. In the celebrations and patron saint festivities, anniversaries and the unique Cajamarca carnival, you can appreciate the experiences of the inhabitants of these lands.
The feathered ones
Their dances and dances mix the Catholic customs bequeathed by the Spanish, with native contributions. It can also be appreciated how both urban and rural experiences add a touch of color.
The arrival of immigrants to Peruvian soil also influenced the variety of dances and typical dances of Cajamarca.
You may also be interested in the traditions and customs of Cajamarca.
5 of the most typical dances and dances of Cajamarca
1- The Marinera
To perform this dance, the women dress in an anaco, a dress that stands out like a blouse over a wide skirt attached to the waist.
They sport big artistic earrings and go barefoot. The men wear a shirt, jacket and pants, shoes and a hat. Both men and women wear a scarf that they move to the rhythm of the music.
The dance is a 6/8 beat, coming from the Pacific coast.
2- The feathered ones
The men dress in two rows of turkey feathers, fastened with red sashes that cross the chest and back.
The feathers continue down the sides of the body ending at the calves. Beneath the feathers, the dancers wear black cloth pants and a white shirt.
The belt has coins that represent the gold and wealth of the Inca ancestors. As an accessory they use a kind of small spears or arrows, which they manipulate simulating fighting among themselves.
The women who participate in the dance of the feathered dress as peasant women.
3- Pallas de Cajamarca
This dance or dance is performed only by women. They wear a dress that consists of a white hat with a black ribbon, a light blue, pink or white blouse, an embroidered bib, a black anaco or pleated skirt, earrings, necklaces and rings.
These women dance and sing through the streets led by a captain who indicates the songs to be performed.
4- Cashua Cajamarquina
The Cashua is danced in pairs, whose participants dance with their gaze fixed on the ground and their hands down.
It is accompanied by a slow tapping. His melodies are melancholic and the instruments used are the flute and the box. Despite this, cashua means joy or courtship.
It is performed mainly at the carnival.
5- Chunchos or white dance
The white dance is performed by a group of 12 dancers. They wear white jacket and trousers, held by seeds or maichales, which sound with the movement.
They also wear a scarf around their necks, raise a flag and hold a pumpkin with chicha. Another character that completes the dance is the black chuncho, with a black mask with eyes, nose and mouth painted in red, and a whip.
The "captain of the dance" who directs the dance and the "black", a funny character, is also played.
The most distinctive thing about this dance is that the dancers pick up the handkerchief that they leave on the ground with their mouths.
References
- Kessel, Juan Van (1982) Dances and social structures of the Andes. Cuzco, Ed. Bartolomé de las Casas.
- Marvin Hagler, Danzas de Cajamarca. 11/21/2017. www.es.scribd.com
- Editor (2010) Danzas de Cajamarca. 11/21/2017. www.cajamarcatur.webnode.es
- Peru Festivals. 11/21/2017 Machu Picchu. www.machupicchu.org
- Raúl Romero (1995) Music, dances and masks of the Andes. 11/21/2017. Lima, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. www.jstor.org