The Diablada dance.
At this time of year in Peru, many colorful festivals
begin leading up to Holy Week. One of the most famous takes place in Puno by
Lake Titicaca in early February called La Virgen de La Candelaria, which
features hundreds of traditional dances and brilliant masks and costumes.
One of the most well-known dances at the festival is
called la danza de la Diablada, which translates as the Devil’s Dance. The
dance has roots in the Altiplano of Peru, Bolivia and Chile and in 2003 was
named a part of Cultural Heritage of Peru. While the Diablada is not exclusive
to La Virgen de La Candelaria, it is one of the most popular because of the
ornate costumes and the bright masks worn by dancers representing the devil or
forces of evil.
The theme of the dance is the constant struggle
between good and evil, with St. Michael the Archangel representing good and the
devils representing evil. The dance is an example of syncretism, fusing the
Christian tale of St. Michael leading God’s armies against the forces of Satan
in the New Testament with the Aymara legend of Supay and the miners. The
narrative goes that miners were trapped in a cavern by Supay, the deity of evil
who lived inside of the earth, when La Virgin saved them from the fiery
cavern. From a combination of these two
tales, the dance takes its roots. Over time the choreography has changed and
become more dynamic and forceful, making it quite a spectacle to behold.
Likewise, the costumes are fantastically elaborate,
made with gold and silver embroidery, precious stones and rich fabrics. Some of
these costumes can weigh up to 30kg (60 lbs)! Imagine walking with so much
weight much less dancing! Costume makers begin as early as August to prepare
for the festival, and the result is a dazzling show, the fight between good and
evil in which the good triumphs.
I think the Diablada is the most wonderful and amazing Peruvian festival around the world, but as we know it is not the unique, because there are others festivals with different costumes and they has got to pretty and beautiful customs too.
For example:
Chujchu or ChukchuChujchu:
A comical dance in which the dancers represent labourers who, during the Colonial era, went to the tropical valleys and jungle regions to find work on the sugar plantations and returned with malaria and yellow fever!! The dancers often fall to the ground in violent convulsions and are "treated" by doctors and nurses who carry various medical instruments such as giant syringes and irrigators! .
Qhapaq Ch'unchu / Kapac Chunchu / Capac Chunchu.
These dancers represent native warriors from the Qosñipata jungle who have sworn loyalty to the Virgin and protect her as she is carried around the streets during the fiesta. They wear mesh masks and a brightly coloured headband adorned with jewels and feathers from jungle birds. They wear kilts (unkus) and carry a spear made from native chonta wood. The dancers are often accompanied by a monkey character (kusillo) who entertains the crowds.
*
