Hatajo de Negritos and ‘Hatajo de Pallitas are complementary expressions emphasized by music and singing, both part of the Christmas celebrations in the central department of Ica, Peru.
A cultural manifestation of the people who live along the coast south of Lima in Peru (Canete, Chincha, Ica, and Nazca), both expressions combine the values of the pre-Hispanic Andes with the rhythms and traditions of African descendants who arrived in the Americas during colonial periods. The complexity of these expressions has allowed them to reflect the mestizo and afro-descendant identities of the region.
These expressions are biblical representations of the story of the shepherds and the arrival of the wise men to the newborn baby Jesus. Most of the 'negritos' dance is performed by men and accompanied by the sound of a long fiddle, along with singing, shoe-tapping dance, and bells.
The 'pallitas' dance is performed by women with an instrument such as a guitar or fiddle, accompanied by a 'zapateo' and singing. Both dances are viewed as symbols of religious devotion and spiritual contemplation and are performed by groups of fifty or more in town squares and churches as well as in homes by families beginning on December 24 and ending on January 6.
Peru's diverse Christmas celebrations illustrate the country's cultural richness, as evidenced by the variety of festivities held throughout its Andean and Amazonian communities, some of which are designated national cultural heritage sites. Currently, it is a popular dance form in the southern regions of Lima, performed not only by African-Americans, but also by mestizos, cholos, and zambos.
In this part of Peru, there is, however, a significant presence of African descent. This dance has a special meaning for the residents of Chincha. The dance is a way to represent the Afro-descendant ancestors, as well as reenacting the religious scene of the shepherds and Magi visiting the Child God. For the dancers, this devotion is an incentive to dance with more desire, even overcoming body exhaustion.
Young children are taught both expressions from early childhood, with elders encouraging them to learn a variety of Christmas carols, rhythms, and dance sequences when performing for the community. Nowadays, the dance is replicated in Huaral and certain districts of Lima. Dancers wear colorful costumes, sequin-adorned sashes, turbans, and hats.
Hatajo de Negritos and ‘Hatajo de Pallitas are complementary expressions emphasized by music and singing, both part of the Christmas celebrations in the central department of Ica, Peru.
It is a cultural manifestation of the people who live along the coast south of Lima in Peru (Canete, Chincha, Ica, and Nazca). Both expressions combine the values of the pre-Hispanic Andes with the rhythms and traditions of African descendants who arrived in the Americas during colonial periods. The complexity of these expressions has allowed them to reflect the mestizo and afro-descendant identities of the region.
These expressions are biblical representations of the story of the visit of shepherds and the arrival of the wise men to the newborn baby Jesus. Most of the 'negritos' dance are performed by men and accompanied by the sound of a long fiddle, along with singing, shoe-tapping dance, and bells. The 'pallitas' dance is performed by women with an instrument such as a guitar or fiddle, accompanied by a 'zapateo' and singing. Both dances are viewed as symbols of religious devotion and spiritual contemplation and are performed by groups of fifty or more in town squares and churches as well as in homes by families beginning on December 24 and ending on January 6. Young children are taught both expressions from early childhood, with elders encouraging them to learn a variety of Christmas carols, rhythms, and dance sequences when performing for the community. Nowadays, the dance is replicated in Huaral and certain districts of Lima. Dancers wear colorful costumes, sequin-adorned sashes, turbans, and hats.
Even so, the coast keeps pace with the rest of the territory since Christmas is also celebrated intensely here. Peru's diverse Christmas celebrations illustrate the country's cultural richness, as evidenced by the variety of festivities held throughout its Andean and Amazonian communities, some of which are designated national cultural heritage sites. Currently, it is a popular dance form in the southern regions of Lima, performed not only by African-Americans, but also by mestizos, cholos, and zambos. In this part of Peru, there is, however, a significant presence of African descent. This dance has a special meaning for the residents of Chincha. The dance is a way to represent the Afro-descendant ancestors, as well as reenacting the religious scene of the shepherds and Magi visiting the Child God. For the dancers, this devotion is an incentive to dance with more desire, even overcoming body exhaustion.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/hatajo-de-negritos-and-hatajo-de-pallitas-from-the-peruvian-south-central-coastline-01309) (https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-perus-hatajo-negritos-hatajo-pallitas-included-on-unesco-intangible-heritage-list-778160.aspx) (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danza_de_Negritos_y_Las_Pallitas) (https://peru.info/es-pe/talento/noticias/6/24/chincha-para-el-mundo--hatajo-de-negritos-y-las-pallitas-son-patrimonio-inmaterial-de-la-humanidad) |Subject=Art, Belief, dance, Music, Ritual |Country=Peru |SDG=(11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions }}