Soft Cambraya dance. Photo: AMUN
The costumes are exhibited in the “Muñecas Province Museum of Ethnography and Folklore”
AMUN/06-10-2024
Neat embroidery stands out in the clothing of the native Cambraya mollo and quena quena dances. Both belong to the Mollo culture and are typical of the Muñecas province of the department of La Paz. On what dates are they danced?
Admission is free and visits must only be scheduled by calling cell phone 71552976. In Sopocachi, less than 20 minutes from the La Paz Center is the “Muñecas Museum of Ethnography and Folklore of the Province”. Its creator, Huberto Patiño Campos, told AMUN that he does not want the dances or traditions of his homeland to be lost.
“The cambraya mollo dance is performed mainly at the All Saints’ Day, remembering the souls who return to share with their families every November 1 and 2, thus symbolizing a ritual of waiting,” explained the cultural manager. For this reason, the men’s hat has two white feathers, which refers to the fact that “the little souls go to heaven.”
They also interpret it by invoking the arrival of the rainy season to fertilize the crops they planted and thus obtain good harvests. “It is danced with quite a demonstration of the embroidery, the artisans prepare the men’s costumes,” Patiño said.
Regarding the use of pinquillos, he said that they are melancholic instruments that accompany dance. And, the bells and pututus are “to scare away evils.” It is danced in pairs, the majority are adults and the color black predominates because it denotes “respect”.
“The woman intervenes with a white flag, it symbolizes peace,” said Patiño while proudly seeing the costumes of more than a dozen native dances. Regarding the sashes, she explained that the embroidery highlights the “experiences” of the artisans, such as their bond with condors, chickens, ducks, cows, bulls and lizards.
Adults dance
Quena quena
A plume of ostrich feathers measuring almost half a meter stands out in the man’s suit. It takes at least two years to make and costs at least $1,600. While the women’s clothing stands out for the number of overflows, which means the economic power of the couple.
Quena quena dance. Photo: AMUN
“Quena quena is a dance performed by the communities during the months of April to September in patron saint festivals and important events such as the cold season of ‘phijchacu’, in the ritual of the San Juan bonfire as gratitude and a request for a good reproduction of livestock, which is their main livelihood,” explained Patiño.
It represents the hunting of fox, llama and vicuña, characteristic animals of this area. “It is one of the most expensive costumes,” said the cultural manager.
The Municipal Secretariat of Cultures and Tourism gave the museum recognition for participating in the Long Night of Museums.
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