Dance of the scissors is also known as Danza de las tijeras, Supaypa wasin tusuq, Galas, laijas. It is an original Chanka dance from the south of the Andes, in Peru. Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Junin, Apurimac, and Lima are the places where this dance is most influential.
Danzantes de tijeras are descendants of the Tusuq Laykas, prehispanic priests, fortune tellers, healers, and shamans who were persecuted during the colonization period. During the colonial era, they gained the name "supaypa waman" (son of the devil in Quechua) and took refuge in the highest areas. The colonizers eventually accepted the return of the natives as long as they were instructed to dance for God and saints. As a result, they started performing the scissors dance at fiestas patronales. This ritual dance is traditionally performed in the dry months around the main agricultural phases. The name of the scissors dance is derived from the pair of steel rods wielded by each dancer in his right hand that resemble scissors blades. An accompanying violinist and harpist form a cuadrilla (team) which represents a particular village or community.
The dancers face each other and strike the blades in time to the music and acrobatics of accompanying musicians, while the dancers perform step-dancing, acrobatics, and movements that become increasingly complex. The Atipanakuy can last up to ten hours in which the physical ability, quality of instruments, and experience of accompanying musicians will all be evaluated.
As part of the dance, elaborated scissors formed by combining two separate pieces of metal of approximately 25 cm are used. When the plates are fused, they form blunt-ended scissors. By emitting a similar thud, the scissors replaced the flat stones used in antiquity. When scissors fall from a dancer's hand while he is dancing, it is considered a great humiliation.
Dancers wear outfits that are embroidered with golden fringes, multicolored sequins, and small mirrors, however, they are forbidden from entering churches while in costume due to the traditional belief by the colony's priests that its magical side obeys an assumption pact with the devil due to the strange moves or tests (atipanakuy) that they perform in dance.
In any case, the scissors dance has become a popular event during Catholic celebrations. Dancers and musicians give pride to their village of origin as they share the physical and spiritual knowledge implicit in the dance. These days, it is a magical-religious and ritual dance that represents, through its choreographies, the spirits such as yacumama, pachamama, hanacpacha, and ucupacha.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/scissors-dance-00391) (https://en-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/Danza_de_tijeras?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=id&_x_tr_pto=sc)