In the first place, we can state that there are several theories about the etymological origin of the word cueca. However, one of the most widely accepted is that it derives from “brood”, which refers to the hen singing after having laid an egg.
The cueca is a dance from South America, traditional of countries like Argentina, Bolivia, chili, Colombia Y Peru. In this dance, people move a handkerchief that they carry in their right hand while performing half turns, turns, and flourishes.
This dance is danced in partner, formed by a man and one woman. It is generally assumed that a man, when inviting a woman to dance a cueca, wishes to woo her, although romantic interest is not a prerequisite for dancing.
The origins of the cueca are not clear, although there are Spanish, African and aboriginal influences. It is believed that jot and the fandango the zamacueca, from which the cueca would derive.
It is important to bear in mind that the cueca developed in different ways depending on the country. That is why it is possible to differentiate between Chilean cueca, the bolivian cueca, the cueca argentina, etc. In addition, there are numerous subgenres within each national cueca: the cueca porteña, the cueca brava, the cueca tarijeña, the cueca cuyana and others.
In Chile it is one of the countries where the cueca is most important. In this country it is considered that its origin is possibly in the black slaves who came to this land on the way to Peru. However, it is true that there are different theories in this regard.
It was in the canteens where, during the 19th century, this dance was most extended and popularized both inside and outside the country. And it is considered that precisely thanks to the Chilean adventurers and sailors it reached other corners of the world as would be the case, for example, of Mexico.
As for the composition as such, it should be noted that in Chile it is composed of fourteen verses that are distributed over a total of four stanzas, which are a couplet, two Seguidillias and a closing. In the same way, it should not be overlooked that it lasts less than 2 minutes and that it takes place in a 6/8 rhythm.
To all the above it must be added that there are many topics that can be dealt with in a cueca. However, among the most common are historical events, love in its entirety and picaresque issues.
It should be noted that the cueca, in addition to a dance, is a musical genre. Cueca compositions are usually performed with instruments such as the guitar, the harp, the piano, the double bass, the accordion and the drums.
Although the cueca lost popularity as the twentieth century, still remains an important part of the folklore South American. chili, for example, he declared cueca as his “National dance” in 1979, while a decade later he established the National Cueca Day (September, 17th). Bolivia, for his part, named the Bolivian cueca as part of the cultural heritage of the country in 2015..
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