MAKIYKUMANTA
July 13 - July 1810:00 am-5:30 pm
Potomac Atrium
National Museum of the American Indian
4th & Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC
Master Crafters | Artisans | Musicians | Folk Dancers | Gastronomy | Special Speakers
Ballet Folklórico
The scissors dance (danza de las Tijeras) is a major manifestation of art and physical dexterity. The danzaq, the dancers, are shrouded in mystery. In a show of force and elasticity, these men put their dexterity to the test with a series of gymnastic leaps to the strains of harp and violin.
Priests in colonial times claimed the dancers had made a pact with the Devil, because of the surprising feats they performed. These fakir-like stunts, called atipanakuy, include sword-swallowing, sticking pins through their facial skin, eating insects, toads and snakes. The main instrument played to accompany the dance is the pair of scissors, made up of two independent sheets of metal around 25 cm long and which together for the shape of a pair of round-edged scissors. The dance is performed at its best in Ayacucho, Apurímac, Arequipa, the Ica highlands, Huancavelica and Lima.
The martial rhythm of the dance of the sikuris originated in the southern highland plain known as the altiplano. It is danced in large groups, forming troupes who join together in large circles around musicians playing zampoña pan-pipes of varying sizes. The choreography of the dance is symbolic of the complementary nature and harmonious relationship that human integration should involve, as one group of flautists can only play half the notes, which means the other group is indispensable to complete the melody.
Folk Dance
Grupo de Danzas
MAMAUCA
Ballet Folklórico
RITMOS DEL PERU
Scissors Dance
The scissors dance (danza de las Tijeras) is a major manifestation of art and physical dexterity. The danzaq, the dancers, are shrouded in mystery. In a show of force and elasticity, these men put their dexterity to the test with a series of gymnastic leaps to the strains of harp and violin.
Priests in colonial times claimed the dancers had made a pact with the Devil, because of the surprising feats they performed. These fakir-like stunts, called atipanakuy, include sword-swallowing, sticking pins through their facial skin, eating insects, toads and snakes. The main instrument played to accompany the dance is the pair of scissors, made up of two independent sheets of metal around 25 cm long and which together for the shape of a pair of round-edged scissors. The dance is performed at its best in Ayacucho, Apurímac, Arequipa, the Ica highlands, Huancavelica and Lima.
Sikuris de Taquile
The martial rhythm of the dance of the sikuris originated in the southern highland plain known as the altiplano. It is danced in large groups, forming troupes who join together in large circles around musicians playing zampoña pan-pipes of varying sizes. The choreography of the dance is symbolic of the complementary nature and harmonious relationship that human integration should involve, as one group of flautists can only play half the notes, which means the other group is indispensable to complete the melody.