Ayacucho: Andean Dancing

By both chance and diligence we happened upon a regional school folk dance competition while in Ayacucho.  The event started with all the local teams parading/dancing in the street.  It is very refreshing to see young people carrying on traditional art and costumes.  Furthermore, there were about as many boys dancing as girls!  Types of dance we saw that I was able to identify through research:

Scissors dance: intangible UNESCO
Huayno: most popular Andean dance,  pairs of male/female dancers

Huaylas: pairs, agrarian celebration

Kcajelo: horsemanship, whip

Pukllay: carnival like orgy scene 

Carnaval de Culluchaca: festive dancing

Los abuelitos de Quipán:  parody of a group of old men

I was so captivated by the kids' energy and dedication, we stayed until the end.  My favorite team that I spotted way back on the street, before I even realized that there was going to be a competition, won!  There was never a happier ending.  The irony of the whole thing is that the competition took place at the Mariscal Cáceres military school, a far cry from Mario Vargas Llosas' The City and Dogs.

The front of the parade goes through the Plaza.


And more, colorful teams.






This video is 60 secs and shows 4 of the teams parading by. Lots of energy! Costumes!


The venue. The stage is at left with announcer, and a combination of live and prerecorded music.


Most of the videos below are 15 to 25 second clips. You won't get bored. ;-) [My camera phone has a 15-sec video setting.]

Agrarian celebration dances.


















Pukllay: carnival like orgy. The winners!!!














Scissors.


Unknown type of dance.




Huayno.