THE 9 MOST POPULAR TYPICAL PUNO DANCES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The typical dances of Puno are an essential element of the culture of this Peruvian area. Dance is so important that it has been linked to other folkloric disciplines, such as crafts, painting, and textiles.

The dances are also related to the festivities of the department of Puno. For example, the pujllay of Santiago and the khashua of Capachica are two traditional dances that are performed during carnivals.

Many of these dances convey emotions and feelings such as joy, love, passion, and pain. Thus, dance is shown as a mode of expression and an artistic form of language.

Other dances are a way of transmitting traditions. In fact, some of these dances are of pre-Hispanic origin.

Thanks to these artistic representations it has been possible to know in greater depth the culture and tradition of the various aboriginal groups that inhabited and still inhabit the territory of the department of Puno.

In Puno there are dozens of traditional dances. Some of these are of pre-Hispanic origin, while others were created during the colonial era, thus showing the influence of Spanish culture.

Most of these dances are performed within the framework of celebrations of the department, such as carnival, the corn harvest, among others.

The 9 main typical dances of Puno

1- Pujllay de Santiago

The puljjay is danced at carnival, in the district of Santiago de Pupuja. This dance is of indigenous origin.

However, it also presents elements in which the influence of the Spanish is observed. An example of this is the suit, which consists of a high-top hat and pleated trousers.

2- Ichu Carnival

The Ichu carnival is a dance of Inca origin, one of the aboriginal groups that had the greatest influence in Peru. The dancers dress in costumes that carry the colors of the rainbow.

The dance is accompanied by traditional music from the department, which is performed by both the dancers and a group of musicians who do not participate in the dance.

3- Khashua de Capachica

These dances are performed during the carnivals of Puno and between 20 and 30 couples take part.

The dance consists of three parts. In the first part, the women dance while singing in Quechua and Spanish.

As the women's song progresses, the men sit up clapping, whistling, and dancing.

In the second part, both men and women engage in vigorous choreography, in which the protagonist is the resistance of the dancers. Finally, it closes with the third part, in which the women sing again.

4- The blaze

The llamarada is a typical Puno dance, which is also danced in other areas of Peru and Bolivia.

This dance is performed during the religious festivals that are celebrated in honor of the Virgen de la Candelaria on February 2. It represents the relationship between the muleteers and the llama, an animal that since time immemorial provides shelter, food and transport to shepherds.

The adoption of this dance as a traditional dance in Puno is relatively recent, it was not until the end of the last century that it began to be practiced in the department.

However, the origin of flames dates back to the colonial period, when Spanish traditions were mixed with aboriginal customs.

5- Wifala of Asillo

This is a dance that is performed mainly during carnivals. The dancers are young men and women who are of marriageable age.

The participants start a kind of competition to test the skills of those who will be their partner.

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, this dance aimed to get a partner with whom they would share the rest of their lives. However, today it has lost this purpose and is only executed in joyous celebrations.

The dance consists of three phases. In the first phase, the resistance and dexterity of the dancers are put to the test, who perform agile choreographic movements.

In the second phase, the women evaluate the abilities of the men, who seek to demonstrate through dance that they are the strongest and most competent.

Finally, in the third phase, couples are formed and the intensity of the dance decreases. The music slows down and the dance ends.

6- Kullahuada

This dance is performed in honor of the Kullahuas, an aboriginal group that was characterized by their skills as spinners.

The dance is performed by both men and women, who are arranged in two rows. Each dancer wears a spinning wheel, which is used as a symbol of spinners.

7- The devil

The diablada takes place during the celebration of the Virgen de la Candelaria. In this dance the dancers represent various characters: the devil, the China Supay (who are demon women), the seven deadly sins, the archangel Michael and other angels.

Throughout the dance the demons and sins face the angels. In the end, the archangel Michael confronts the devil and defeats him. Thus ends the diablada.

8- Sikures de Taquile

The dance of sikures is done to give thanks for the harvest obtained or to ask that the future harvest be favorable.

This dance becomes a way of honoring Pachamama, that is, Mother Earth.

This dance can be performed at different times of the year. For example, it can be run in spring, when the first crops sprout.

The instrument that stands out is the sikus, which is a wind instrument that gives the dance its name. Other accompanying instruments are the wankaras, species of large drums.

9- Rafters of Wiñaymarca

The dance of the rafters is a dance that is performed in honor of Mama Qocha or Mama Qota, the deity associated with Lake Titicaca, which is one of the most important bodies of water in the area.

The dancers, organized in pairs, execute steps that seek to recreate the movement of the lake's waters.

The steps of the dance are simple, smooth, calm and lilting, as if the dancers were on a raft crossing the Titicaca.

References

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2. Celebrating the Virgen of Candlemas in Puno. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from peruforless.com
3. Cusco Cultural Treasures, Dances and Music. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from machutravelperu.com
4. Dances of Puno. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from go2peru.com
5. Dancing in the Streets: Peru's Candelaria Festival. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com
6. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from wikipedia.org
7. Folklore in Puno. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from discover-peru.org
8. La Diablada: Colurful Dance of La Candelaria Festival in Puno. Retrieved on November 24, 2017, from aracari.com
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