Raices Latinas Dance Group

Western Australia

Raices Latinas is a cultural dance group that was established in 1989 and who´s members and dancers are mainly Chilean born and their children. The main dances performed by this group are the “DIABLADA” and the “TINKUS”.

The origins and sense of patrimonial identity of both this dances is a matter of dispute between authorities and historians from Bolivia, Peru and Chile. But this dances are inspired in the Andean civilizations previous to the formations of the current national borders, it should belong equally to the three nations and other Andean states.

“La Diablada” or “The devil”, as closely as it can be translated, is a typical religious dance which is very well known for its colourful costumes and its devil’s masks.  It is usually danced at the major religious celebrations throughout the Altiplanic regions, such as the “Fiesta de la Tirana”, the “Fiesta de la Candelaria”, the “Fiesta de Andacollo” in Chile, and the “Carnival of Oruro” in Bolivia and Puno in Peru, where pilgrims come to celebrate from all over South America.  The costumes and the dances represent an offering of good and the cleansing of sins when it is danced to Virgin Mary and our Lord Jesus Christ.

The “Tinku” is a traditional Andean dance which began as a form of ritualistic combat. It is native to the northern regions of the Altiplanic and in the language of Aymara it means “Physical attack”.

During this ritual men and women from different communities will meet and begin the festivities by drinking and dancing. The women will then form circles and begin chanting while the men proceed to fight each other; rarely, the women will join in the fighting as well. Because of the rhythmic way the men throw their fists at each other and because they stand in a crouched stance going in circles around each other, a dance is formed.

The festive Tinku, a much more pleasant experience than the ceremonial Tinku, has many differences. It has been accepted as a cultural dance in the whole nation of Bolivia and the Andean communities.

The Tinku music has a loud constant drum beat to give it a native warlike feel. The dancers perform with combat like movements, following the heavy beat of the drum.

Tinkus have been a tradition of Andean culture since before they first had contact with Europeans. Some anthropologists hypothesize that Ancient Andean

Cultures would have tinkus instead of traditional warfare. This would help curb aggression between different groups, and also allow for entertainment. There are even some anthropologists who believe the tradition of the Tinku dates back to the time of the Moche culture, where neighbouring tribes would annually fight one another.

Since 1989 Raices Latinas, has performed both this traditional and exciting dances in many cultural events throughout Western Australia; like in Municipal festivals such as, The Gosnells City Council, Joondalup City Council, City of Canning, City of Fremantle, City of Cockburn, City of Melville, City of Perth Christmas Pageant, some Latin American festival such as, LACA Winter and spring Festival, and the Chilean National day celebrations.

For the last 22 years Raices Latinas has been and is still today a very well respected and known dance group mainly because of the “Diablada” and the “Tinku”. Their bright and colourful costumes and the way the dances are performed, with joy and pride, promote the traditional Altiplanic Culture to the Chilean and younger Andean generations and of course the wider Australian community.

Contact:Sergio Barraza  044 957 0269