Fiestas Patrias

September 11th marked the beginning of Fiesta Patrias week – the celebration of Chile’s independence from Spain – culminating on September 18th. Our July 4th is tame in comparison and from what I can tell, these are the high holidays of the year. This is a family centered time that reminds me of Thanksgiving. Long standing traditions define this holiday and include making empanadas, asados (barbecues), playing Chilean folk music and most important, dancing the Cueca. The Cueca is the national dance of Chile that takes center stage this week. It’s a courtship dance that evokes the mating ritual of hens and roosters. The dancers wave a handkerchief and use it skillfully to be coy, clever, and above all, creative.

Here we have my fourth period class on Monday. They came prepared to teach me the Cueca and launch the week in grand style. By midweek all classrooms were decorated for Dieciocho.

On Wednesday we had a huge fiesta with the seniors. Each grade level had their own celebration. Students all chipped in and helped with the food prep (asados) and organization. We had a Cueca dancing competition between classes (there are 12 in all). Dan and I got to be judges which I didn’t especially find fun because they were all winners. Here we have Romina and Nataly from an all girls class who adapted the Cueca beautifully. They got high scores for charisma and afiatamiento pareja –strong partnership. They eventually took third place. Notice the smoke in the background, testimonial to all the feasting to follow.

Yasmin and Rodrigo in traditional dress—as are many of the students in the background. We saw scores of students wearing these outfits all over Chillán this week. They ranged from pre-K to high school students. I’m trying to imagine my students in Portland embracing folkloric traditions in a similar way and then going public. Somehow the picture is not taking shape.

We’ve all danced, feasted, laughed, and hugged. Here is the winning couple with some of their classmates. The collective enthusiasm is amazing to witness—not only with students, but with colleagues as well. After students left for home on Friday afternoon the staff had our own party with empanadas and dancing. Despite having several Cueca lessons this week, Dan and I didn’t have the confidence to dance until the music changed to salsa. Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Here are two Cueca videos. See if you can figure out the dance steps:

Stephanie and Luis--second place

the three finalists

More photos of cueca dancing at Dario Salas can be seen here