Livestream Jun 20, 2023 | Huyano Music with accordion from Andes: Peru, Bolivia, Chile
Today we’ll explore accordionists playing Huyano music. This music is one of the oldest folk musics of the Andes, and is common to Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
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Huayno (pronounced why-no), also known as Waynu in the language of Quechua, is a popular genre of Andean music and dance that has its roots in the rich cultural tapestry of South America. Predominantly practiced in Peru, Western Bolivia, Northern Argentina, and Northern Chile, Huayno is a cherished tradition among various ethnic groups, particularly the Quechua people.
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Most of the videos we looked at were of Peruvian Huayno musicians, dancers and historians.
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Historical Roots
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The history of Huayno can be traced back to colonial Peru, where it emerged as a fusion of traditional rural folk music and popular urban dance music. Some elements of Huayno even predate the colonial era, originating in the music of the pre-Columbian Andes, particularly in the territories of the former Inca Empire.
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Dance and Subgenres
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I tried to follow a couple of the Huayno dance tutorial videos – they were very fun and energetic. A lot of big movements and stomping dance moves. The second video we followed was the better tutorial – although it moved quite quickly. The instructor showed us the 6 essential dance steps of the Huayno.
The Huayno dance begins with the man offering his right arm to the woman as an invitation to dance. The partners then walk along an enclosure before they start the dance, which consists of agile and vigorous stamping of the feet. The man follows the woman, touching her with his shoulders after having turned around. Occasionally, he touches his right arm to the left hand of his partner while both swing to the rhythm of the music.
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Huayno also has several subgenres, such as Carnaval Ayacuchano, a holiday genre from the Ayacucho Region, Peru, and Hiyawa or hiyaway, a dry-season ritual song and dance from north of Potosí Department, Bolivia.
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Tutorial on the song “La Profesorita”
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In the livestream we worked along with a wonderful tutorial by Peruvian multi-instrumentalist Brian Huayotuma on the song popular song “La Profesorita”.
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More Popular and Commonly Performed Huayno Songs:
Several songs have come to exemplify the Huayno genre.
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These include
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- “Valicha” by Miguel Angel Hurtado
- “Ojos azules” by Manuel Casazola Huancco
- “El Cóndor Pasa” by Daniel Alomía Robles
- “Vírgenes del Sol” by Jorge Bravo de Rueda
- “Adiós pueblo de Ayacucho”
- “Wasimasillay” by José Sanchez Yañac of Los Bohemios del Cusco
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Huayno, with its rich history and vibrant rhythms, continues to be a vital part of Andean culture, and the popularity and abundance of accordionists in the music makes it so appealing to me.
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I hope you enjoyed this livestream!