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Dance in Nicaragua


This is a compilation of traditional dances from Nicaragua

El Güegüense (also known as Macho Ratón) is a satirical drama and was the first literary work of post-Columbian Nicaragua. It is regarded as one of Latin America's most distinctive colonial-era expressions and as Nicaragua's signature folkloric masterpiece combining music, dance and theater.

El Güegüense is performed during the feasts of Saint Sebastian in Diriamba and Saint Anne in Niquinohomo.

The play of El Güegüense dates back to the colonial era. Although the exact date is unknown, some estimate it to be from the end of 17th century or the beginning of the 18th century. It's considered the ultimate expression of the characteristics of the Nicaraguan people, their language, customs and idiosyncrasies, reflecting the social structures of the time.

El Viejo y La Vieja, literary The Old Man and the Old Lady, is a traditional dance from Diriamba, Carazo.

The Old Man wears a long sleeve shirt with a jacket and trousers, a traditional palm hat with colored ribbons and a mask. He carries a cane or walking stick as a support and dances very slowly and gracefully, according to his age.

The Old Lady wears a colorful dress and a palm hat decorated with flowers. Her physical attributes are overly exaggerated, with big breasts and buttocks. She also wears a mask that represents a beautiful Spanish woman, moving quickly with provocative movements towards the Old Man, showing all her elegance.

The musical instruments used in this dance are the traditional marimba de arco, the guitar and the guitarrilla (a small guitar similar to a mandolin). A special rhythm was created exclusively for this dance that has the same name of El Viejo y La Vieja.

Palo de Mayo (Maypole; or ¡Mayo Ya!) is a type of dance with sensual movements that forms part of the culture of several communities in the RAAS region in Nicaragua, as well as Belize, the Bay Islands of Honduras and Bocas del Toro in Panama.


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