Afro-Bolivian Saya
Encyclopedia
The Afro-Bolivian Saya (from Kikongo nsaya, communal work led by a singing voice, akin to work song
) is an art form of traditional Andean and Afro-Bolivian music and dance originated in the Department of La Paz, Bolivia. Saya is of African origin, and is mostly an umbrella term for many dances which spawned different styles such as : Tundique, Tuntuna, Caporales
, Negritos, and the contemporary Saya.
This dance was originated in the jungles of the Yungas ares of La Paz Department more than 5 centuries ago, African communities, the exploitation of slavery were taken to South America to the aforementioned mines, and with them their customs, music, was merged with the native cultures gave rise to mixtures as Tundique dancing, then becoming the Tuntuna, named for the touch of bowler.
Caporales
was based on these dances, created and presented to the public for the first time in 1969 by the Estrada brothers who were inspired in the Afro-Bolivian Saya character of the Caporal, dance that belongs to the region of the Yungas
, Bolivia Modern Saya also evolved from these dances, and from time to time starts with Afro Bolivian style. Although the dance itself is merely for sport, most of the festivals displaying the dance have a prominent religious aspect. One supposedly dances for The Virgin Mary and promises to dance for three years of one's life. However, most ballets and tournaments between them are kept secular.
Modern Saya is mostly similar, but contains subtle and extreme differences. The male dancer looks near identical to his Caporal counterpart. However, while the Caporal outfit is usually larger and constricting, a Saya uniform is usually made from lighter material and fitted to the body for better, more fluid arm movement. Sometimes a whip may be used like in Caporales, but this is the exception and is more popular to dance simply with white or black gloves (depending on the uniform colors). Females also have a more fitted and relaxed outfit compared to their Caporal counterparts. The differences in that case, however, are more subtle (lighter material, less skirt, laced sleeves, etc.)
A more extreme difference can be seen in the actual dance. The Caporales is usually considered very masculine: Men will move and use their arms with much emphasis on looking strong and "macho". Females, while emulating the males moves, will simply concentrate on showing off their legs and skirts in a flirtatious manner. Modern Saya, however, puts more emphasis on beauty. The males will wave their arms around with n open palm, or a closed fist, and jump and spin in contrast to the muscle flexing movements of Caporal. Females too will shake, jump, and twist with much more energy and excitement in contrast to the rather dull nature of females in Caporales, were females serve more as eye candy for spectators. Usually, choreographed Saya performances will open with a short interlude similar to ballet, showing the theme of the performance. This is also used in the American version of Caporales.
Both Saya and Caporales music are used interchangeably, as well as Tundique and Tuntuna music. This is due to all of them being different variations of each other (Caporales being based on Ballet Saya, and Tuntuna being a variation of Tundique.) Only original Saya AfroBoliviana remains unique. First the dance didn't have a proper music - the dancers adapted Huayños and Kullawadas before the first Saya songs were composed. The rhythm is different from the Saya AfroBoliviana as well as the whole dance which gradually became on of the most popular dances in Bolivia, especially appreciated by young people of the middle and upper class who form huge Caporales groups for Carnival, Gran Poder and other "entradas".
Work song
A work song is a piece of music closely connected to a specific form of work, either sung while conducting a task or a song linked to a task or trade which might be a connected narrative, description, or protest song....
) is an art form of traditional Andean and Afro-Bolivian music and dance originated in the Department of La Paz, Bolivia. Saya is of African origin, and is mostly an umbrella term for many dances which spawned different styles such as : Tundique, Tuntuna, Caporales
Caporales
Caporales is a traditional Bolivian dance originating in the Department of La Paz, Bolivia; it was created and presented to the public for the first time in 1969 by the Estrada brothers, who were inspired in the Afro-Bolivian Saya character of the Caporal, a dance that belongs to the region of the...
, Negritos, and the contemporary Saya.
This dance was originated in the jungles of the Yungas ares of La Paz Department more than 5 centuries ago, African communities, the exploitation of slavery were taken to South America to the aforementioned mines, and with them their customs, music, was merged with the native cultures gave rise to mixtures as Tundique dancing, then becoming the Tuntuna, named for the touch of bowler.
Caporales
Caporales
Caporales is a traditional Bolivian dance originating in the Department of La Paz, Bolivia; it was created and presented to the public for the first time in 1969 by the Estrada brothers, who were inspired in the Afro-Bolivian Saya character of the Caporal, a dance that belongs to the region of the...
was based on these dances, created and presented to the public for the first time in 1969 by the Estrada brothers who were inspired in the Afro-Bolivian Saya character of the Caporal, dance that belongs to the region of the Yungas
Yungas
The Yungas is a stretch of forest along the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains from southeastern Peru through central Bolivia. It is a transitional zone between the Andean highlands and the eastern forests. Like the surrounding areas, it has characteristics of the Neotropic ecozone...
, Bolivia Modern Saya also evolved from these dances, and from time to time starts with Afro Bolivian style. Although the dance itself is merely for sport, most of the festivals displaying the dance have a prominent religious aspect. One supposedly dances for The Virgin Mary and promises to dance for three years of one's life. However, most ballets and tournaments between them are kept secular.
Regional and Style Differences
Although the original Saya AfroBoliviana, Tundique, and Tuntuna have withstood the test of time without much variation, Saya and Caporales have changed drastically with each decade.Modern Saya is mostly similar, but contains subtle and extreme differences. The male dancer looks near identical to his Caporal counterpart. However, while the Caporal outfit is usually larger and constricting, a Saya uniform is usually made from lighter material and fitted to the body for better, more fluid arm movement. Sometimes a whip may be used like in Caporales, but this is the exception and is more popular to dance simply with white or black gloves (depending on the uniform colors). Females also have a more fitted and relaxed outfit compared to their Caporal counterparts. The differences in that case, however, are more subtle (lighter material, less skirt, laced sleeves, etc.)
A more extreme difference can be seen in the actual dance. The Caporales is usually considered very masculine: Men will move and use their arms with much emphasis on looking strong and "macho". Females, while emulating the males moves, will simply concentrate on showing off their legs and skirts in a flirtatious manner. Modern Saya, however, puts more emphasis on beauty. The males will wave their arms around with n open palm, or a closed fist, and jump and spin in contrast to the muscle flexing movements of Caporal. Females too will shake, jump, and twist with much more energy and excitement in contrast to the rather dull nature of females in Caporales, were females serve more as eye candy for spectators. Usually, choreographed Saya performances will open with a short interlude similar to ballet, showing the theme of the performance. This is also used in the American version of Caporales.
Both Saya and Caporales music are used interchangeably, as well as Tundique and Tuntuna music. This is due to all of them being different variations of each other (Caporales being based on Ballet Saya, and Tuntuna being a variation of Tundique.) Only original Saya AfroBoliviana remains unique. First the dance didn't have a proper music - the dancers adapted Huayños and Kullawadas before the first Saya songs were composed. The rhythm is different from the Saya AfroBoliviana as well as the whole dance which gradually became on of the most popular dances in Bolivia, especially appreciated by young people of the middle and upper class who form huge Caporales groups for Carnival, Gran Poder and other "entradas".