There is no mystery as to its origin, the Chilean Oaxacanas their name indicates, come from the call Chilean cueca; a musical and dance genre from the Andean country, in turn a product of multiple influences: zambra and Spanish fandango mixed with African American and Peruvian rhythms.
However, How did these rhythmic melodies and their dances so full of life come to our country?
Carnivals in Oaxaca
The Oaxacan Chileans and the 19th century
According to some historians, Both the music and the dance that would be known as Oaxacan Chileans arrived in 1821 to the port of Acapulco, on a ship of the Chilean Navy.sent by the government of that country to support the insurgents in the fight for Mexico’s independence.
However, their arrival coincided with the triumph of the independence movement and Chilean sailors gladly joined the party spirit that predominated in the streets, playing their string instruments and dancing the Chilean cuecas on the beaches, with handkerchiefs in one hand.
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Consequently, The happy rhythm of the melodies conquered the Acapulqueños, who mixed it with the traditional music of the region and little by little the Chilean ones spread to other areas, especially to the state of Oaxaca.
Dancing to the rhythm of southern music
Currently, Chilean is the representative musical genre of the Costa Chica, a region located between Acapulco and the central coast of Oaxaca. Likewise, it is common for meetings of Chilean musicians to be organized to compose, play and sing this musical genre.
As for the Chilean dance, involves a lot of tapping, sensual movements and clothing that consists, for women, of a wide satin skirt adorned with lace and ribbons; white blouse and beaded figures; as well as a handkerchief hung around the waist or in the hand to wave during the dance.
For their part, the men wear pants and a long white blanket shirt, a palm hat, and two bandanas, one around the neck and the other in the hand, also to wave while they dance.
Finally, The cultural relevance of Chilean Oaxacan women is evident in the Guelaguetza festivalas they represent the region with great pride.