FESTIVAL DANCERS
ASOCIACIÓN CULTURAL KANCHIS
NATIONAL/ETHNIC IDENTITY: Peru/Andean
PRESIDENT: Miguel Sanchez
First Appearance in SF EDF: 1999
Email: koskoinca@hotmail.com
In Peru, as in many South American countries, there is a confluence of Native Indian, African and Spanish cultures that can be recognized in the dance, music, dress, language and cuisine of the country. Certain of these influences can be identified more than others. In mestizo dances, mestizo referring to the mix of Indian and Spanish, there is a blending of indigenous elements with those of Catholicism. As in the United States, some Native American tribes maintained their rich spiritual traditions by adopting the Catholic symbols and blending them into their own rituals. In addition, they sometimes created simple folk dances that had double-meanings. In this way they could hide from the strict rules of harsh landowners and maintain group solidarity.
Asociación Cultural Kanchis was founded in 1995 to research,
preserve and promote the Peruvian culture through the folkloric expression.
2004 PERFORMANCE
 TITLE OF PIECE: PACASITO (hide)
STAGING: Marco Rivera
DANCERS: J. Alberto Bandera, Gloria Buluje, Cecilia
Fonseca, Gillian Griffiss, Shanty Gupta, Sheila Guzman, Oscar Guzman,
Gladys Leon, Christopher Leon, Oscar Leon, Ossi Leon, Elsie Lopez,
Pina Lopez, Carlos Magan, Karla Magan, Sarela Mazzini, Marcel Neumann,
Laura Perez, Carlos Robles, Maria del Mar Robles, Toya Sanchez, Miguel
Sanchez, Renato Sanchez, Valeria Sanchez, and Jorge Ventimilla.
Asociación Cultural Kanchis presents a mestizo dance
that offers a glimpse into a typical religious and social event found
in rural northern Peru. The company depicts an annual religious procession
which is followed by a celebratory fiesta. A tondero dance
typical of the area is also performed at the event.
The dance "Pacasito" is part of the religious/social celebration
in honor of El Seņor Cautivo de Ayabaca. This piece was originally
created in the 19th century but adapted to the stage by this group
in 2003. Concealed within this joyous and playful dance are several
meanings. On the outset, the performers enact farm workers who are
celebrating out in the fields. When they sense their master's arrival
they hide under the women's skirts and reemerge to continue their celebrations
upon his departure. This dance is a metaphor for how the ancient worship
of Apu Inti Taita, the Incan god of the sun, became hidden behind the
Catholic worship of Christ. The accompanying music is performed on
typical Indian and Spanish instruments, such as the quena,
an Indian pipe, the Spanish guitar, and violin and drums.
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