Marinera

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Marinera, the most representative dance in Peru.

The Marinera is the national dance of Peru. The marinera is a graceful and romantic couples dance, and uses handkerchiefs as props. The dance is an elegant and stylized reenactment of a courtship. Traditional accompaniment for the dance is provided by a cajón, guitars and bugles.

[edit] History

The exact origin of the dance is unknown, but it is an unmistakable blend of African, Latinamerican and Spanish influences. The La Chilena a Chilean dance, is the most immediate precursor to the marinera. Though the marinera dance style had also been around for centuries in Peru, it gained the name "marinera" in honor of the Peruvian Navy or the Marina de Guerra del Peru in 1879 when it entered war with Chile. Prior to the War of the Pacific , it had also been called La Chilena, but due to the hostile situation, in a patriotic moment, it was agreed to eliminate any trace of culture of the then enemy.

[edit] Today

Different schools and dancing styles of the Marinera exist, based on location. There are Marinera dance academies all over Peru, and competitions are frequently held. The most important competition is the National Competition of the Marinera. This competition is held during the National Festival of the Marinera at the Chimú Coliseum in Trujillo, every January.