Dances from Puno, together with the other Andean traditions are constantly evolving, especially with the appearance of new contexts and audiences. Nowadays, these contests have become part of the program of Andean religious festivities. At Candlemass, Puno's most important celebration, a folk dance contest has been added to the fireworks, church mass and street processions and is now one of the greatest attractions of the fiesta. Traditionally they danced for hours through the streets, together with other groups as part of religious processions, while at competitions they dance on stage, albeit an improvised one sometimes, in front of an audience and for a certain length of time only.

Representation of the devil in the dance

La candelaria

Also, participating in contests puts pressure on the dancers to stand out and they do this by improving and adjusting the choreography, music and costumes. Nevertheless, this modernizing element is in constant contact with the more traditional aspects of folklore and the transformation and adaptation of dances from Puno is not all one-way. However, the dances, have been gradually losing their links to their places of origin and their identification with particular groups. Part of this process of borrowing and appropriation in different directions means that we cannot now speak of "la diablada", "la llamerada" or the carnaval de Mollo.

Candlemas

- 2 of Febrary: Holy Mass Followed by a procession on the followed by a procession. On the folowing Sunday there is a magnificient festival of local dances.

- The weekend after: Dancing in the streets on Friday night; fireworks on Saturday Night together with musicias in the competing groups perform un Sunday in the Sanchez Belon Stadium, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the city the Candlemass procession On Monday. Puno is still celebrating and all business are closed.

Virgin of Copacabana

August 6 A festival in the Bolivian city of Copacabana which attracts the faithfull to the sanctuary in their thousands during the month of August.

Immaculate Conception

The main festival of Lampa, is celebrated on the 8 December. Noteworthy becuause traditional dances from all over the Andean plateau can bee see there. A sort of Candlemass in miniature with less "contamination" by modernity.

Author: Gisela Cánepa
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