PERUVIAN MUSIC AND DANCES

Andean Music

Peru has extremely rich musical manifestations. Within the vast mosaic of Latin American folklore, it shares with Bolivia the so called Andean music, which encompasses the multiple characteristic expressions of the different cultural ethnic groups in the Andean region. Only in Puno, which is remarkable for the ornamental luxury and richness of its dances, there are more than 300 different Quechua and Aymara dances. However, if all the regional versions are taken into account, it is believe that Andean dances amount to more than five thousand. They have varying degrees of mixture, from those purely indigenous in remote high – altitude Andean villages which have hardly lost their original culture, such as the Llamerada or the Ayarachi to those whose rhythm, instrumentation and dress are expression of an outstanding mixture of cultures.

The most popular tune is the Huayno, an Andean mestizo expression, with properties typical of each region, and known nationwide.

Coastal Musica

In Lima and in other big cities of the interior, the Caribbean Salsa is danced in salsodromos and has a strong and enthusiastic following. Rock with its variants and Reaggae also appeal to the musical fervor of the young. This international music coexists side by side with different varieties of Hispanic and other kinds of music resulting from the crossing of races, strongly influenced by Negroid rythms and tunes.

The Peruvian Waltz is a variation of the Vienese waltz which was danced by the aristocracy of Spanish origin, and has a modified rhythm, accelerating its beat. It emerged at the end of the past century and served to express the feelings of creoles living in the poorest neighborhoods of the city, until it entered gradually into all the other social sectors and became the most popular musical rhythm in the country. It can have sad notes and a slow rhythm when expressing love pains, but turns lively and quick when expressing joy and entertainment. Although it continues to be very popular in old traditional urban families, its importance has declined in recent times.

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