This is Huancayo
Dances from Huancayo
Huaylarsh Antiguo:
Origin:
Comes from agricultural cults of the big Wanka Nacion.
It is related to the fertility of the soil. The dance was originally performed after
the agricultural works, as an expression of joy. It incorporates movements from
the agricultural work. There is a “Huaylarsh” dance between the former and the modern
one, which is the festive “Huaylarsh”, or “Carnavalesco”.
Clothing: The typical Wanka dress. The men use a black, brown or
white hat, made from sheep's wool. They wear a white woolen shirt and black woolen
trousers, a multicolored girdle and under their dress they carry a tool to symbolize
the agricultural work. This can be a pick for example
The women wear a white, black or brown hat, made of sheep's wool,
a black “cotton”, similar to a skirt. It all comes in one single piece. They cover
their back with a black or colored “lliclla”. They wear a white or “lulipa” “fuste”
and a coca bag. The couples carry out this dance barefoot.
Choreography: people have danced for centuries in periods of sowing,
cultivation and harvest of the potatoes, quinoa, corn and barley. In the choreography,
the shepherd is presented as well, harmonizing with the “amorío de chiwaco” or the
thrush. The latter one is performing a mating dance for the female, tapping its
feet and spreading its wings. If needed, they fight for the female against other
males, which expresses the usual rivalry in the group, often ending in pitched fights.
TACANACUY SANGRIENTO, the women have two defined steps: MUJUPAMPAY (to bury the
grains) and CHIHUACO PARCHACAY (little jumps with which she mates the thrush.)
The men have to carry out multiple steps, according to the agricultural content:
TPROSAY (defiant route).
Music: The music normally incorporates a violin, a saxophone and
a clarinet, which are accompanied by a singer and a characteristic “guapido”.
Huaylarsh moderno:
Origin: this dance's origin is lost in space and time. It is mostly
danced in the villages around Huancayo, for example Pucará, Huancán, Huayucachi,
Viques, Chongos, Bajo, etc. The dance is carried out by the “Huaylarsh” and the
“Wamblas”.
You can see this dance in February, the month of the carnival, as a cult to the
nature. Above all, it is for the fertility of the soil and the start of the rainy
season.
The “Huaylarsh moderno” emerges as a counterpart to the “Huaylarsh antiguo” and
the traditional clothing is much more luxurious. The choreography shows the falling
in love of the birds, complemented by other steps. It represents a migration from
the countryside to the city.
Clothing: The women wear a black or a brown hat or “chuco”, made
of sheep's wool. It is decorated with (cinta de agua?), a tissue or a “lliclla”.
Men are wearing a black hat made from sheep's wool and have a fine silk tissue of
triangular shape.
The shoes are black and made from leather so they support the long walks.
The “chaleco” is what totally distinguishes the two “Huaylarshes”. It has two buttons
and is embroidered with the motives of the region. Some men are wearing embroideries
with the name of the landlord.
Choreography: People dance in couples, imitating the different
phases of birds falling in love.
Music: The music accompanying the “Huaylarsh moderno” is played
by an orchestra composed of harps, violins, clarinets and saxophones. The musicians
accompany the dancers when they are dancing and when they are walking down the streets.
Danza de las Tijeras:
This dance is mainly performed in the mountain regions of Ayacucho, Apurimac and
Huancavelica. The dancers are two rivals in a duel, in which it is shameful to be
defeated. They are accompanied by a violinist and a harpist.
The dancers perform all sorts of acrobatics and, at the same time, make movement
with their hands and scissors. To win this dance competition, which sometimes takes
more than 12 hours, the dancers have to be able to pierce their nose with a needle,
dance with thorns in their heels or lift a heavy (barreta?) with their teeth. Precautions
are always taken against witchcraft. The dancer has great appreciation for the scissors,
which he has with him until his death, since he got them from the Uquis or spirits
of the mountains according to his own beliefs.
La Tunantada:
Typical dance from the central region of Peru, danced especially during
the celebrations on 20th January in the Mantaro and Yanamarca valleys.
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