Even though some of the dance groups travel to town after town during carnaval, one famous dance is unique to Oruro; the dance of the Diablos, or devils. Some say this is somehow linked to the mining history in Oruro. (perhaps the catholic influence of the "underground") There is always one Micheal the Archangel dancer in the group of devils to keep the devils under control. He usually has huge blue eyes and large wings. I guess when the dancers get to the end of the parade, they enter the church and ask the blessing of the virgin of the mines. Then the archangel puts his sword at the backs of the devils knees and makes them kneel in front of the Virgin. There is usually also a statue of this virgin carried on a litter at the front of the group. No matter how wild the party got, no one EVER hit her with a water balloon!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Diablos!
Even though some of the dance groups travel to town after town during carnaval, one famous dance is unique to Oruro; the dance of the Diablos, or devils. Some say this is somehow linked to the mining history in Oruro. (perhaps the catholic influence of the "underground") There is always one Micheal the Archangel dancer in the group of devils to keep the devils under control. He usually has huge blue eyes and large wings. I guess when the dancers get to the end of the parade, they enter the church and ask the blessing of the virgin of the mines. Then the archangel puts his sword at the backs of the devils knees and makes them kneel in front of the Virgin. There is usually also a statue of this virgin carried on a litter at the front of the group. No matter how wild the party got, no one EVER hit her with a water balloon!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment