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Creoles Dance
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Because the Uruguayan indians never lived in peace with the Uruguayans conquers, Spaniards and Portuguese, our folklore
haven't any influence of aboriginal roots.
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El Cielito
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The Cielito is a dance with song or a tune to dance to which was practised during colonial times . Luaro Ayestaran :
Uruguayan Folklorist, called it "the vehicle of sound for the emerging homeland " . Alive in the city salons and the
country environment in the period of 1800 to 1900 , it belongs to the same group of the Pericon and the Media Caña,
loosely danced and interdependent that is a dance for a group. The lyrics include the calls of cielo , cielito or sky
little sky and alla va cielo y mas cielo , there goes the sky and more sky . It's a patriotic dance that follows the
calls of the happenings of the nation and became a satirical weapon for a time later a simple but fine and gallant set
of lyrics.
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El Gato
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El Gato was danced in Uruguay from the first half of the 19th Century until the beginning of the 20th Century. It was also
called !Bailecito! in Argentina, reaching the River Plate region from Peru with the names !Mis Mis! or !Perdiz!. In these
regions its variations were numerous: Gato Encadenado , Gato Polqueado, Gato Porteño, Gato con Relaciones, Gato Patriotico
etc. . El Gato is usually danced by a single couple whose partners move independently, when a second couple is allowed to
join in, the dance is said to be "in quarters". It belongs to the group of picaresque dances, its choreographic form being
lively and showy.
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La Huella
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La Huella is a picaresque dance with finger movements simulating the playing of castanets. The hands are held in a way that
indicates the passage through courtly salons in a dignified, almost solemn manner. It belongs to the period of the Minuet-Gavotte
of the 18th century, but it also shows the changes of style resulting from its adoption by the country-folk.
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La Firmeza
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According to some historical documents, it seems that La Firmeza originated in the uruguayan province of Soriano. It became very
popular in Argentina and the south of Brazil and was known by three names: La Firmeza (firmness, Constancy or Courage) , El
Zapatero (the cobbler) and El Tras Tras. It most attractive feature is that the singing takes the place of the caller,
directing the figures to be danced. The freely-moving partners engage in picaresque pantomime.
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La Mazurka
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La Mazurka is a dance closely related to the Polka, the Valse, and the Chotis, born in the 16th Century in Poland , with the name
of Mazurina or Mazurka, it arrived in Uruguay in 1851 and it was called "Ranchera ". This dance still survived and is very popular
in our country-side.
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La Refalosa
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Refalosa or Resbalosa meaning slippery : is a picaresque dance of Peruvian origin dating to 1840 . Can also been seen as a Media
Caña Resbalosa with a sweeping long movement by the dancers.
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El Chotis or Siote
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When the Accordion and double Accordion entered in Uruguay to join the Guitar and become national instruments in the "Campesina
Orchestra" Chotis or Siote a variation of a very European salon dance.
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El Tin Tin
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Related to the Media Caña or half cane and the Refalosa the Tin Tin proliferated during the "Guerra Grande" (Grate war) 1839-1851
from the divergence between Fructuoso Rivera and Manuel Orive . Bells signalled on the 8 of October of 1853 the end of the war
without winners or losers. The lyrics can be most provocative in a political context and the song outlives the steps. Times of
conflict, division and deprivation represented by the woman which dance barefoot, and the use of a handkerchief indicating tears
and goodbyes.
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La Chimarrita
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This is a popular dance in the border region between Uruguay Brazil and including Corrientes in Argentina . In Uruguay it can be
also known as Cimarrita or China Rita obviously as a woman's name. Danced with Polka steps it belongs to the group of dances
called "Fandango Rio Grandenses" most appropriated in this region of big rivers. Further inland there are many variations of the
Chimarrita. Renato Almeida Calls this dance "Empty benches or Empty chairs" as none remained seated when its played.
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The Carangueijo
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Amusing and happy in the kin of Chimarrita , Tirana and Anu this dance came from the south of Brazil . Its name means
"Little Crab" and began around 1850.
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El Malambo
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Individual and masculine the many arabesques performed with the feet are called "Mudanzas" it become a competition or
"Duel" between males requiring great dexterity and imagination.
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La Polka
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La Polka also connected with the "Accordion "or "Verdulera" was born in Bohemia around 1830, arrive in Prague in 1835 to
Vienna in 1839, Paris 1840, London 1844 and the 6 of November 1845 it was the first time it is danced in Montevideo in the
theatre "Casa de las Comedias " it has many variations like Polka Militar, Pique, Canaria, Del Pavo, Cruzada, Mazurka, Con
Relaciones etc.
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