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Moros y cristianos

religious dance drama

Quick Summary

Moros y Cristianos, also known as moros or morisca, is a dance drama that originated in medieval Spain. It symbolizes the historical conflicts and eventual victory of Christians over Moors. This performance tradition was brought to Latin America by Spanish colonizers and adapted to local contexts.123

The dance typically features two opposing groups, Christians and Moors, engaged in a theatrical battle. In Latin America, these roles were sometimes refashioned to represent the Spanish conquerors and indigenous peoples. These performances often occur during religious festivals and are a significant part of cultural and social life in many communities. The moro-moro in the Philippines is an example of this tradition, where Christian Filipino armies are depicted defeating Moors.24

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