Dancing is a way of expressing ourselves on a bodily level; Each country, city and even town, has a series of typical dances, which are part of its history and culture.
In this article we will focus on Chile to talk about its dances, as it is a country full of life, history and wealth in this sense. Specifically, we will know 15 typical dances of Chile, classified by area : north, center or south.
In Chile, festive dances of different types are very typical; these dances They are folkloric expressions that usually have a religious and/or festive motivation Most of these dances have many years of history.
The typical dances of Chile can be divided according to three zones of the country: the Northern zone, the Central zone and the Southern zone. In this article we will follow this classification.
The National Dance of Chile
Through the typical dances of Chile, the country expresses its national identity, its culture, its values and its ways of celebrating. First of all, we will see what Chile’s dance par excellence consists of, that is, its national dance: the famous cueca.
1. The cueca
The cueca is the national dance of Chile, and therefore, it is a very popular dance. It is danced in all regions of the country; specifically, since 1824 On September 18, 1979, the cueca was declared the national dance of Chile.
How do you dance the cueca? First, the huasos (that’s what Chilean men from the central or southern area are called), look for a girl they like, and offer her their arm. The girl gets up and accompanies the handsome man; They walk until they reach an area of the room or track. They stand in front of each other, with a handkerchief in their hands, and begin to dance the cueca.
The huaso turns insinuatingly and “chases” his partner (he “runs away”); Then she uses the handkerchief as a lasso, surrounding the girl with it but without touching her, and “brings” her to her side.
Dances from the North of Chile
Let’s see some of the typical Chilean dances from the northern part of the country:
2. Carnival
The carnavalito is another of the typical dances of Chile; this time from the northern area. In fact, Its origin is Bolivian, but it is also danced in Chile (in the North) and in Argentina especially during the Carnival festivities.
The musical genre that accompanies the carnival is the “huaino”, made from instruments such as the bombo and the quena. The carnivalito is danced in groups (in pairs). Its choreography is happy and striking.
3. The little bull
The third of the typical Chilean dances that we will learn about is the torito, also danced in the northern part of the country. this dance It is typical of the religious festival of San Pedro which is celebrated every June 29.
It is a dance that is also performed in a group, where two men dressed in black and white (each one in a different color) dance in the center of the room or place. Additionally, they wear a rather large bull mask.
4. The huachitorito
The next dance, also from Northern Chile, is the huachitorito. It is especially typical of the Christmas season It is accompanied by instruments such as: the guitar, the bass drum, the snare drum, the violins, the quena and the accordions. To do this, different pairs are formed in rows of two by two (or in a circle).
The couples surround a couple in the center. The dance is staged while the Christmas shepherds visit Christmas cribs in the houses of the city or town.
It is a version of the Chilean cueca; In this case, it has no lyrics, only melody The northern cueca dance is accompanied by instruments such as the trumpet, tuba, snare drum and bass drum. Its melody is very happy, celebratory, and it is another of the typical Chilean dances that are danced in pairs.
6. The cachimbo
The cachimbo is another very festive dance. It is also danced in pairs and with handkerchiefs in their hands. It looks like the cueca, since includes turns that match the rhythm of the music In the cachimbo there is also a “love conquest”, where the man is the one who performs such an action. Its melody is composed of guitar and accordion.
Dances from the South
We are now going to tour the southern part of the country. What Chilean dances do we find in this area?
7. The ribs
Another of the typical dances of Chile is the costillar. In this case, it is a typical dance from the South. Generally it is a dance that only men perform, although it is true that sometimes the couple is included. The rib is a dance that represents a commune in the central area of Chile, called Chillán To perform this dance, a bottle is placed in the center of the dance floor.
8. The pericona
The pericona is another typical Chilean dance; It is very popular on the island of Chiloé. Four people participate in the pericona, who They dance making six turns from right to left
9. Chocolate
Chocolate consists of a couple’s dance. It has Spanish influences, especially in relation to the turns that its participants take , and the position they adopt. Chocolate has different versions, like many other typical Chilean dances.
10. Zamba refalosa
Another of the typical dances of Chile is the zamba refalosa, a very festive dance. It is done in pairs, with a handkerchief in hand. Couples remain separated The movements mainly include spiral turns.
Another typical dance from southern Chile is the sirilla, although its origin is Spanish. It is danced especially on the island of Chiloé
Its execution is in pairs; The couples stand facing each other (they form a square). The dance includes different movements with turns and changes of position. It is also a dance that includes handkerchiefs.
Dances from the Central area
We change the area, and we are now going to see the typical dances of Chile in its Central area:
12. The dungeon
The dungeon includes a choreography that represents two hawks as they surround a dove The dancers of the mazamorra perform somewhat graceful movements in order to “conquer” the love of a woman. Precisely, the name of this Chilean dance originated from this “mazamorreo” that takes place during the dance itself.
13. The little one
The pequén is another typical Chilean dance; Its name originates from a field bird with this name.
This dance can be danced in different ways. In the Central area “el pequén campesino” is danced. In this case, the dancers They dance imitating the flight of the little one The dance begins, like many others, with the choice of a dance partner (the man initiates it). Then there is a certain conquest and flirtation between the two.
14. Porteur
The porteza is also another of the best-known typical Chilean dances. The melody of the porteza also belongs to that of the cueca. For a start, the man dances making some small jumps; then he alternates his legs making crosses to the sound of the woman’s dance, who performs a so-called “brushing” through her feet.
15. The sajuriana
The sajuriana, also known as sajuria and secudiana, It is typical of a Chilean region called Ñuble The melody that accompanies the sajuriana is a melody similar to the copla. In this case, the dancers dance separately, and wave a handkerchief up and down. The movements are quite improvised, and include “zapatoneados”.
