The Oruro Mask Dance Essay Example for Free

The Oruro Mask trip the idle fantastic toe renderCulture is usually expressed through different mediums. Values, beliefs, and aspirations of a particular group of people be imbibed in culture. Thus, in order for these cultural traits to be represented in what social scientists call the earth of cultural relativism, people express it through rituals, trip the light fantastic toes, and songs. Generally, these mediums atomic number 18 called fiestas. Here in Bolivia, specifically, in Oruro, Santa Cruz, the Oruro haler Dance is a famous festival. Eight days before the Ash Wednesday, people gather around the townsfolks plaza to perform a beautiful devil dance or diablada in Spanish (Hamre 1). The devil dance is a recollection of our ancestors prior to the coming of the Spaniards a sort of tribute to the dead. The escolas de samba chooses a new theme each year. These themes have one direction they ought to relive the days of our ancestors. For one, our commemoration of the dead is a symbolic gesture of respect and magnanimity to the dead. Also, we recognize the efforts made by our ancestors in fighting foreigners. Their blood was spilled in the country in order to protect it from invaders.Thus, even with the prohibition of Spanish colonial officials from celebrating this dance, our forefathers danced it in the mountains, far from the contours of civilization. As one may note, diablada survived al close to unchanged for many another(prenominal) centuries. We, the Bolivians, argon also proud of the colorful features of the pretend dance. Hundreds of devils in monstrous costumes can be seen in the streets of the town. approximately masks be heavy and to an American viewer scary. Other masks have bulging eyes and long hairs, dependable like the suitistics of the devil in Hollywood movies.I especially like devil masks wearing scintillate breastplates and golden spurs. Some masks are really light, connotative of the spiritual origin of devils. The devil dance is supplemented by a pacifying, rhythmic music from brass bands, pipers, and drummers. The colorful image of the festival as well as its solemn dedication to our ancestors makes it my favorite holiday here in Bolivia. Then the noise in the festival becomes loud and frenzied. Out of the devil dancers comes China Supay (Hamre 1). She is the devils wife who performs a seductive dance to attract the garden angelica Michael.By the way, this dance was modified by the Spaniards to suit the predominant religion of Bolivia (Roman Catholicism). Then, members of workers unions declare small symbols of their union. This is done to show their support for the festival. Dancers in Inca costumes, with headdresses and symbols of the sun and moon on their chests, dance with the dancers dress as black slaves. These slaves were imported to Bolivia by the Spaniards from West Africa to work in silver mines (operated by the colonial government). Then, family members appear. They are led by m atriarchs dressed in yellow.The man of the household appears first (in red dress) thus the daughters (in green dress). After which, the families go to the football stadium. Here the next celebrations take place. In the stadium, two plays are conducted (Hamre 1). The first play is about the conquest of Bolivia by the Spanish conquistadores. The second is about the victory of the Archangel Michael against the devil and the Seven Deadly Sins. Michaels flaming sword is emphasized as the sword of light bound to defeat evil for all eternity. Then, the singing of the song of the Patron Saint of the Miners becomes the next event.They are also expressed in dance using a Quecha hymn. The purpose of the plays is very send away. The plays are a protest to the abuse of Spanish officials and clergy during colonial Bolivia. Although the festival is mixed with Christian tales and concepts, it still adheres to the pre-colonial ceremony of full-grown gratitude to the dead and the mother earth Pach amama (Hamre 1). The struggle of beneficial and evil are emphasized and made clear through the actions of early Catholic priests pacifying an already civilized nation. Thus, it can be said that the mask festival, specifically the devil dance, is a characterization of our nations archives.Such history is, of course, characterized by the struggle of good (justice) and evil (injustice by colonizers). The triumph of good signifies the break of our country from the bonds of colonialism, and its entrance to a new promise (the hope that the good will reign in the future). For days, the celebration of the carnival continues. The diablada dancers break into smaller group. Usually, coarse bonfires are set to characterize the spiritual and physical unity of the country. Processions are then made and the church building becomes a refuge for the homeless.Then, men from different families jointly consume large amounts of Bolivian beer and the very powerful chicha (Hamre 1). Chicha is derived from fermented cereals and corn and liquefied in high temperature areas. Usually as the celebration ends, many people sleep in doorways. Others fall (because of drunkenness) sleep in the towns plaza. The mask festival, most especially the devil dance, is my favorite festival among the festivals in both Bolivia and the United States. One reason is the character of the festivals message. The redemption of humanity (a Christian concept) from evil is likened to the separation of Bolivia from Spanish rule.This festival presents the history of our country as it both experienced oppression and hope. My next reason has something to do with culture. Among all the festivals famed in our country, the mask dance is the most comprehensive that is, it establishes the full personality of Bolivia. Note that in my description, the mask festival does not focus on one character of a Bolivian rather it draws from old historical experiences to highlight the full character of a Bolivian. For example, B olivians are known for being hospitable and diplomatic.This is shown in the mixed dance of the devil dancers with the Incas (a sign of friendship). This festival is really the life and character of my country, Bolivia. Works Cited Devil Dance. (2007). Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. 30 October 2007 from http//www. britannica. com/eb/article-77638/Native-American-arts (accessed). Hamre, Bonnie. (2007). Oruros Devil Dance is unforgettable. 30 October 2007 from http//gosouthamerica. about. com/cs/southamerica/a/Carnaval_3. htm (accessed). Oruro Carnival. (2007). New Mexico Department of heathenish Affairs. 30 October 2007 from http//www. carnavalexhibit. org/bolivia. php (accessed).