While its origins are not clearly defined, it is considered[who?] to have mostly European Spanish and arguably Indigenous influences. The most widespread version of its origins relates it with the zamacueca which arose in Peru as a variation of Spanish Fandango dancing with criollo. The dance is then thought[who?] to have passed to Chile and Bolivia, where its name was shortened and where it continued to evolve. Due to the dances popularity in the region, the Peruvian evolution of the zamacueca was nicknamed la chilena, the Chilean, due to similarities between the dances. Later, after the Pacific War, the term marinera, in honor of Perus naval combatants and because of hostile attitude towards Chile, was used in place of la chilena. The Marinera, Zamba and the Cueca styles are distinct from each other and from their root dance, the zamacueca. Another theory is that Cueca originated in the early 19th century bordellos of South America, as a pas de deux facilitating partner finding.[2] The usual interpretation of this courting dance is zoomorphic: it tries to reenact the courting ritual of a rooster and a hen. The male displays a quite enthusiastic and at times even aggressive attitude while attempting to court the female, who is elusive, defensive and demure. The dance often finishes with the man kneeling on one knee, with the woman placing her foot triumphantly on his raised knee. In Bolivia, there are many variations throughout the different regions. Cueca styles of La Paz, Potosí and Sucre are the elegant and static versions, whereas in Cochabamba and Tarija the style is much livelier and free. The same could be said with the music where in different regions rhythm and speed slightly differ amongst the regions. While dancing, handkerchiefs are used by both male and female dancers by twirling over the head. It is said the twirling of the handkerchief is a way to lure the woman.[3]
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 18:06:17 +0000
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