Dancers performing the Marinera Arequipena

There are many typical dances from Peru and they have indigenous, hispanic and african origin. Typical dances are danced in school, Independence day and in many another occasions.

One of the most typical one is the “Marinera” that is very popular in the North of Peru, the woman wears a long dress that I imagine has its origins on spanish flamenco dresses and she dances without shoes, she wears traditional hand made earrings. the man wears a suit and a kind of big belt in his waist. The marinera represents flirting between them and it’s a bit difficult to dance, kids learn to dance from a very early age.

Marinera Arequipena - many areas of Peru have a variation of the Marinera

There are another dances very simialr to marinera like Tondero or another kind of Marineras from another parts from Peru.

The Huayno is a dance from the mountains from Peru, the origin of this dance is from Inca and Pre Inca time and the costumes are very colourful.

The Huaylash is another dance from the mountains from Peru, the costumes are very colourful, it looks a bit like a funny tap dance and it’s a representation of agricultural tasks.

The Diablada is a typical dance from the Southern Part of Peru, it started like a representation of the evil and the good spirits during colonial times and then developed into a colourful dance with costumes with evil heads.

There are many Afro Peruvian dances, called “negroides” , that began in Colonial times when the Spanish brought slaves to South America. A wooden box with deep sound when hit is the rhythm instrument for this type of music with guitars and another instruments for melody.

There are many more dances like some from the Amazon Region of Peru and I could say that every city has a different dance. Dances are taught everywhere and they are still very alive in the culture of Peru.