Morenada

This dance is practiced mainly in Bolivia[1] as well as in Peru[2][3][4] and in recent years with Bolivian immigration in Chile, Argentina and other countries.

This importance stands out for the dissemination of dance and music in the patron and civic festivals in different regions of the country.

[5] In turn, this dance is performed during the Carnaval de Oruro, in honor of the Virgen del Socavón, declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The most commonly shared theory says that the dance was inspired by the sufferings of the African slaves brought to Bolivia in order to work in the Silver Mines of Potosí.

The dance morenada would originate by imitating the treading of the grapes in the Oruro wineries and the barrel-shaped costumes would represent the barrel that contains the wine.

At first sight this makes the theory seem extremely unprovable, but the first chants in the Morenada allude to the African slaves who worked in winemaking.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the presence of brunettes in devotion to the Virgen de la Candelaria is described in newspapers of the time:

Cave painting in the locality of Chirapaca , Los Andes Province (Bolivia) depicting what is believed to be Morenada dancers between the centuries 17th and 18th.
Moreno in the locality of Ichu , Puno depicting what is believed to be Morenada dancers between the centuries 19th and 20th.