MUSIC & DANCE
Chujchu or Chukchu
A funny dance in which the dancers pretend they are workers who, during the Colonial times, went to the tropical valleys and jungle regions to find work on the sugar plantations (farms) and returned sick with malaria and yellow fever!! The dancers often fall to the ground shaking and are "treated" by doctors and nurses who carry various medical tools such as giant needles!
A funny dance in which the dancers pretend they are workers who, during the Colonial times, went to the tropical valleys and jungle regions to find work on the sugar plantations (farms) and returned sick with malaria and yellow fever!! The dancers often fall to the ground shaking and are "treated" by doctors and nurses who carry various medical tools such as giant needles!
Qhapaq Qolla
This dance represents the legendary merchants (rich men) from the altiplano (Lake Titicaca) who used to bring products to trade or exchange for products from the Paucartambo and jungle regions. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish llamas were used to transport goods. Later, mules were more commonly used. The dancers wear a knitted woollen masks called a "waq'ollo" and a beautifully decorated square flat hat called an "aqarapi" which usually has antique coins hanging from it. From their backs hang a dried vicuña (an animal from the llama family) and as they dance they can be seen twisting strands of wool into thread. The Qhapaq Qollas also sing tender songs to the Virgin to demonstrate their devotion. The characters of the dance are the Mayor (El Alcalde) who carries a large wooden staff of authority, his wife (La Imilla) and child (q'ollita), two captains (one for each column) and a llama herder (llamero) who occasionally wanders off into the crowd follwed by his llama laden with products.
This dance represents the legendary merchants (rich men) from the altiplano (Lake Titicaca) who used to bring products to trade or exchange for products from the Paucartambo and jungle regions. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish llamas were used to transport goods. Later, mules were more commonly used. The dancers wear a knitted woollen masks called a "waq'ollo" and a beautifully decorated square flat hat called an "aqarapi" which usually has antique coins hanging from it. From their backs hang a dried vicuña (an animal from the llama family) and as they dance they can be seen twisting strands of wool into thread. The Qhapaq Qollas also sing tender songs to the Virgin to demonstrate their devotion. The characters of the dance are the Mayor (El Alcalde) who carries a large wooden staff of authority, his wife (La Imilla) and child (q'ollita), two captains (one for each column) and a llama herder (llamero) who occasionally wanders off into the crowd follwed by his llama laden with products.
Qhapaq Negro
This dance represents the black slaves of the colonial and republican eras, who were brought from Africa to work in the mines and sugar plantations (farms). Now free, they sing and dance and declare themselves slaves only to the Virgin Mary herself. The dancers wear black plaster masks with sad expressions and exaggerated features. They have hats decorated with sequins, breastplates and a chain around their waist representing their former slavery. They also wear colourful silk scarves and carry a small wooden staff in the form of a clenched fist (called a "Maqui"). The dance leader is known as the Black King (Rey Negro). He carries a wooden rattle in his hand which he uses to keep the dancers in step.
This dance represents the black slaves of the colonial and republican eras, who were brought from Africa to work in the mines and sugar plantations (farms). Now free, they sing and dance and declare themselves slaves only to the Virgin Mary herself. The dancers wear black plaster masks with sad expressions and exaggerated features. They have hats decorated with sequins, breastplates and a chain around their waist representing their former slavery. They also wear colourful silk scarves and carry a small wooden staff in the form of a clenched fist (called a "Maqui"). The dance leader is known as the Black King (Rey Negro). He carries a wooden rattle in his hand which he uses to keep the dancers in step.