Scissors dance

The Scissors Dance, originating from Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Apurímac, and northern Arequipa, is recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for its antiquity and symbolic value. This dance, performed by Quechua communities, reflects a syncretism between pre-Hispanic beliefs and Christianity.

Origin and History of the Scissors Dance

It has roots in the "tusuq laykas," pre-Hispanic priests and healers who were persecuted by colonizers. After being allowed to return, they began dancing for the saints and the Catholic God, giving birth to the tradition in patronal festivals.

What is the Origin of the Scissors Dance?

This dance is part of the religious and pagan festivities in the region, originating in pre-Hispanic times and consolidated during the colonial period.

However, there are several theories about the origin of the Scissors Dance:

1. Pre-Hispanic and Ritual Origin: It comes from pre-Hispanic rituals of the Andean peoples, where dancers sought to honor gods and ask for fertility, acting as mediators between the spiritual and earthly worlds.
2. Colonial Influence: With the arrival of Christianity, the dance became syncretized by incorporating Catholic elements while maintaining its symbolism from the communities. The metal scissors likely emerged during this time, blending cultures and reflecting the resilience of rural traditions.
3. Symbolism and Meaning: The scissors in the dance represent Andean duality between opposites, such as heaven, earth, or the material and spiritual, a concept deeply rooted in the Andean worldview, reflected in the sound and use of the instrument.
4. Challenge and Competition: The dance also includes physical competition, where dancers perform acrobatics demonstrating skill, endurance, and spiritual connection, interpreted as a display of their spiritual strength.

Why is it called the Scissors Dance?

The dance is named after the metal scissors that the dancers use, which are linked to the colonial mining exploitation and Andean myths. These scissors carry a strong historical and symbolic significance.

Historical Evolution of the Dance

We will explore the evolution of this dance, highlighting three key aspects: its ritual and spiritual origin, the legend of the pact with the devil, and its connection to singing and dancing related to illness.

The Scissors Dance: Ritual and Spirituality

It has evolved with influences from Spanish dances like the jota and contradanza, also adopting costumes with lights, reflecting its cultural syncretism. This mixture of traditions shows how European and indigenous elements fused.

Initially, the dance had roots in the rituals of the Chanka people, native to Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Apurímac. It was performed during agricultural festivals, especially in honor of Pachamama, to ask for prosperity and connect with the Andean spirits.

A Pact with the Devil

According to the legend, it is believed that the dancers made a pact with the devil to gain powers, which is reflected in the tests of pain and self-injury. Additionally, their costumes show the syncretism between Christianity and Andean traditions.

Singing and Dancing for Illness

The Scissors Dance is linked to healing practices, where singing and dancing represent a way to ask for health and well-being. While the information is limited, the ritual aspect and spiritual connection have been key to the well-being of Andean communities.

Scissors Dance: Intangible Cultural Heritage

UNESCO recognized the Scissors Dance as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010, highlighting its cultural, spiritual relevance and its role in preserving Andean traditions today.

Characteristics and Types of Dance

It stands out for its choreographic complexity, where dancers compete in skill and endurance.

• Major Dance or Atipanakuy: Participants face each other in skill and endurance duels, overcoming their opponent with more complex movements.
• Minor Dance or Qolla alva: A more intimate version, performed at night, with soft music and less competitiveness.
• Zapateo: Performed during Christmas festivities, it has a fast rhythm and emphasizes foot movements, mimicking the sound of stomping on the ground.

Each type of dance highlights different aspects, from competition to devotion.

Costume and Symbols of the Scissors Dance

• Ritual and Spirituality: The dance symbolizes the struggle between good and evil, being a ritual offering to Pachamama and the Andean spirits, seeking balance.
• Colorful Costumes: Dancers wear colorful, intricate costumes with embroidery and ornaments that represent nature and deities, while the "Montera" symbolizes the Apus.
• Use of Scissors: These metal objects, which produce a characteristic sound, have a rhythmic and symbolic role, representing duality and balance.
• Tests of Skill and Endurance: These dances include acrobatics and extreme endurance tests, such as walking on fire or thorns, demonstrating the dancers' spiritual strength.

Symbolism in Costumes and Accessories

The costumes and accessories of the Scissors Dance have deep symbolism related to the Andean worldview, spirituality, and the history of resistance of Peru's indigenous communities. They reflect the dancers' connection to their natural environment and to ancestral spirits.

• Montera (Hat): It symbolizes protection and connection with the Apus, representing respect towards the mountain deities.
• Metal Scissors: Not only do they have a rhythmic role, but they also represent duality and balance between the material and spiritual worlds, showing the dancers' ability to maintain the balance between these forces.
• Colorful and Embroidered Costumes: The costumes are full of ornaments and embroidery, symbolizing nature, the universe, and respect for Pachamama. Accessories like masks and metal ornaments also act as protective amulets and honor the ancestors.
• Accessories: Accessories such as masks and metal adornments not only serve an aesthetic purpose but also function as protective amulets against evil spirits and as a way to honor the ancestors and Andean deities.

The Scissors Dance is a manifestation of cultural identity, faith, and resistance, where dancers seek spiritual protection, honor their heritage, and communicate their worldview and their role in it.

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