The typical dances and dances of the Andean region of Colombia arise from the cultural exchange between indigenous, black and Spanish traditions. The bambuco, the guabina, the corridor, the sanjuanero and the torbellino are identified as the most popular dances.
In the Colombian Andes there is a diverse variety of parties and celebrations in which dance plays the central role from where the festive ritual develops.
The Andean region is located in the center of Colombia and is divided into three mountain ranges called Central, Occidental and Oriental. Its name is deduced from its location within the Andes mountain range.
In the Andean region are the main Colombian cities and cultural regions as rich as Paisa, Santandereana, Cundiboyacense, Vallecaucana, Opita and Pastuso.
Dances and main dances of the Andean region
the bambuco
It is the most widespread dance in Colombia, being considered the most representative. Its roots come from black culture, as it was danced by the slaves who lived in the Cauca region in the 18th century.
Despite being considered a typical dance of the Andean region, it was so widely accepted that it spread to all Colombian departments, even adding some variations.
This dance is executed in pairs and is also called the expression of peasant romance. Both masculine and feminine movements simulate courtship and the game between acceptance and rejection.
La Guabina
It is a dance analogous to bambuco. Its theme is also linked to love and courtship in which the male dancer must make her gestures to achieve the grace of the lady.
It is danced in pairs but exchanging with others and dancing in a line. The most deeply rooted places of this dance are Santander, Boyacá, Huila and Tolima.
The hall
It was born in the 19th century and is a derivation of the waltz. It became popular in the region because it could not be missing in the parties and meetings of the colonial era.
It is usually danced in three segments: an introduction, the development, and a closing in which the entire execution is repeated again.
sanjuanero
This dance is the most characteristic of Tolima and Huila. It is danced in the celebrations of San Juan, San Pedro and San Pablo. It is a variation of the bambuco influenced by the Joropo and the Tambora Tolimense.
In the execution, the movements are recharged with jumping feet, large movements of the skirts for the women and maneuvers with the hats for the men.
the whirlwind
It belongs to the departments of Boyacá, Santander and Cundinamarca. It is performed in patron dances, peasant weddings and in almost all festivities, especially in Cundinamarca.
It is also linked to peasant songs and religious and secular couplets. The names of the songs that accompany the whirlwind dance reveal a still current colonial peasant jargon (sumercé, queré, vidé, ansia).
the rajaleña
It is a variety of San Juan with influences from Joropo and Bambuco. Considered the oldest popular dance of the calentano, it has indigenous roots from pre-Hispanic and colonial times.
The rajaleña is danced to the rhythm of typical instruments from Alto Magdalena, such as the acoustic guitar, and with youth songs.
the bunde
It is a dance, but also a funeral musical genre. It is more typical of the Pacific region, but there are also many areas of the Andean region where it has a strong presence, such as Tolima. In fact, in this department the bunde is the official anthem.
In its beginnings, the bunde was an African rhythm, which was mixed with other rhythms such as mapalé or cumbia.