Folklore Performance And Identity In Cuzco Peru

Folklore performance is an integral part of the cultural identity and heritage of Cuzco, Peru. With its rich history and diverse indigenous communities, Cuzco offers a unique blend of traditions, music, and dance that showcases the vibrant cultural expressions of the region.

Traditional Folklore in Cuzco

Cuzco, often referred to as the "Archaeological Capital of the Americas," serves as a hub for traditional folklore performances. The city's historical background, dating back to the Inca civilization, has greatly influenced its folklore traditions. The locals take great pride in preserving and promoting these customs.

Creating Our Own: Folklore, Performance, and Identity in Cuzco, Peru

by Zoila S. Mendoza (Illustrated Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Traditional folklore performances in Cuzco are characterized by colorful costumes, dynamic music, and energetic dances performed in public squares during festive occasions or organized events. These performances showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region and provide insight into the diverse ethnic groups that reside in Cuzco.

The Influence of Indigenous Cultures

Cuzco is home to several indigenous communities, including the Quechua, Aymara, and Asháninka. Each community has its distinct folklore traditions, which reflect their unique histories and cultural practices. Through these performances, indigenous communities celebrate their ancestral heritage and pass down their traditions to younger generations.

The Quechua people, who are the descendants of the Inca civilization, hold a significant presence in Cuzco. Their folklore performances often revolve around agricultural rituals and pay homage to their ancestors. Their dances, such as the "Sanqhu," symbolize a connection with Mother Earth and express gratitude for the bountiful harvests.

Similarly, the Aymara community showcases their cultural identity through vibrant dances, elaborate costumes, and traditional musical instruments. Their performances often depict ancestral stories and legends that have been passed down through generations. The "Waca Waca" dance, for example, portrays the mythical sun-worshiping rituals practiced by the Aymara people.

The Role of Folklore in Identity Formation

Folklore performances not only serve as a form of entertainment but also play a crucial role in shaping individual and communal identities. For the people of Cuzco, these performances serve as a way to connect with their roots, reinforce cultural pride, and strengthen social bonds within their communities.

Through the preservation and practice of folklore traditions, individuals gain a sense of belonging and a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage. It allows them to express their collective experiences, values, and aspirations, keeping their traditions alive and ensuring their continuity for future generations.

Cuzco's Influence on Folklore Tourism

With its rich folklore traditions, Cuzco has become a popular destination for travelers interested in immersing themselves in local culture. Folklore performances attract tourists from all around the world who are eager to witness the vibrant displays of music and dance firsthand.

Recognizing the economic potential, local communities have embraced folklore tourism as a means to preserve their traditions while also generating income. This has led to the establishment of folklore festivals, museums, and cultural centers that cater to tourists' interests and provide an opportunity for cultural exchange.

The Future of Folklore Performance in Cuzco

While folklore performance continues to thrive in Cuzco, its preservation faces certain challenges in the modern world. The influences of globalization, urbanization, and modernization pose threats to traditional practices.

However, efforts are being made to safeguard and promote Cuzco's folklore heritage. Cultural organizations, schools, and individuals are actively involved in teaching and transmitting folklore traditions to younger generations. Government support and international recognition also contribute to the preservation of these cultural expressions.

As long as there are passionate individuals committed to upholding the richness of folklore performance in Cuzco, this vibrant display of culture and identity will continue to be cherished and celebrated for generations to come.

Creating Our Own: Folklore, Performance, and Identity in Cuzco, Peru

by Zoila S. Mendoza (Illustrated Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1631 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages

FREE

In Creating Our Own, anthropologist Zoila S. Mendoza explores the early-twentieth-century development of the “folkloric arts”—particularly music, dance, and drama—in Cuzco, Peru, revealing the central role that these expressive practices played in shaping ethnic and regional identities. Mendoza argues that the folkloric productions emerging in Cuzco in the early twentieth century were integral to, rather than only a reflection of, the social and political processes underlying the development of the indigenismo movement. By demonstrating how Cuzco’s folklore emerged from complex interactions between artists and intellectuals of different social classes, she challenges the idea that indigenismo was a project of the elites.

Mendoza draws on early-twentieth-century newspapers and other archival documents as well as interviews with key artistic and intellectual figures and their descendants. She offers vivid descriptions of the Peruvian Mission of Incaic Art, a tour undertaken by a group of artists from Cuzco, at their own expense, to represent Peru to Bolivia, Argentina, and Uruguay in 1923–24, as well as of the origins in the 1920s of the Qosqo Center of Native Art, the first cultural institution dedicated to regional and national folkloric art. She highlights other landmarks, including both The Charango Hour, a radio show that contributed to the broad acceptance of rural Andean music from its debut in 1937, and the rise in that same year of another major cultural institution, the American Art Institute of Cuzco. Throughout, she emphasizes the intricate local, regional, national, and international pressures that combined to produce folkloric art, especially the growing importance of national and international tourism in Cuzco.

Please visit the Web site http://nas.ucdavis.edu/creatingbook for samples of the images and music discussed in this book.