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Which Spanish features appeared in the Peruvian zamacueca?
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Latin American dance
Traditional Mexican folklórico dancers.
The Peruvian zamacueca, which became the reigning mestizo dance in Lima during the 19th century, incorporated several distinct Spanish features. These influences included:1
- Body Posture: An upright body posture maintained by the dancers.1
- Handkerchief Use: The expressive use of a handkerchief to embellish rhythmic arm gestures and facilitate communication between partners.1
- Musical Instrumentation: Accompaniment provided by instruments from the guitar or harp families, or a combination of both.1
- Language: The use of the Spanish language in the song texts.1
These elements blended with Indigenous and Afro-Peruvian influences to create the unique character of the dance.1