Peruvian Dance Capes

Appropriate for grades: K - 12
Subject areas: English Language Arts History and Social Studies Visual and Performing Arts


These dance capes or esclavinas, are capes worn by dancers in the annual celebration for the Virgen de Cocharcas in the town of Sapallanga, in Peru’s central sierra. These costumes are made by men and their families as a cottage industry and rented to dancers from different villages in the area who come to Sapallanga to participate in the festival. The dancers carry an anchor and a bell and are accompanied by drums and a brass band. Spanish Language Version

Teaching / Learning Goals:

Teachers and students will …

Objectives

  • Learn about how dance capes are an important part of celebrations in the Andean region (historical and cultural understanding).
  • Recognize the different types of dance capes in the Andes and the characters that they convey (perceiving analyzing and responding).
  • Find different ways to construct a dance cape by using a variety of materials and by exploring line, color, shape and form. (Creating and performing).

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