Colorful art objects, amazing paintings and textiles, uniquely created ceramics and jewelry, beautiful children toys, are set on dozens of tables, while in the center of the atrium live performances of both tranquil and happy sounds of Peruvian dances, and the smiling faces of dozens of Indigenous artists from Peru, will make you feel as if you were at an old square of Cusco, Ayacucho, Huancayo or Arequipa.
This is a true celebration of the thousands-years-old Native American heritage of Peru, and the contributions of African, European, Asian and Arab immigrants, which make Peru a country of unique fusions and cultures.
The Makiykumanta Festival includes not only the amazing (and affordable) art fair, but also music and dance performances, films, workshops and more. Makiykumanta (is Quechua for "from our hands") is a unique opportunity that brings to the NMAI the amazing works of dozens of Indigenous artists.
These artists have come all the way from different regions of Peru to Washington, D.C. Remember that most of them work directly in their communities, so this is a great chance to support the people of Peru.
Makiykumanta started yesterday and it runs until Sunday July 18th, it's free and open to the public. See links at the end of this post.
All photos and videos by Carlos A. Quiroz
Peruvian reunion
Makiykumanta is also like a family reunion for the people of Peru, making possible for indigenous Peruvian artists, dancers and musicians to meet with friends of Peru, and U.S.-born Peruvian Americans artists, volunteers and visitors.
We Peruvians, although we are separated by geography and some ways of living, but we are united by our mother land the pachamama, the Abya Yala, the Americas. We are related to each other, because we are family. We are Indigenous, and this week we are celebrating our heritage at the NMAI.
The Makiykumanta Festival is organized by the NMAI with the support of the Embassy of Peru.
About this, read my thoughts on the double standards of the Peruvian government and its attacks on our Indigenous peoples.
Here are some VIDEOS I recorded yesterday:
This first video is a summary of my experience yesterday morning, during the first part of the inaugural program.
Huaylash, Waylars or Huaylarsh is a dance of the central Andes of Peru, of the indigenous Wanka peoples. It represents the pursuit of love and a mockery the machismo of the Andean men. At the end I interviewed a couple of Peruvian immigrants who were crying as they remembered their marriage 50 years ago in Peru.
Quechua woman weaving Alpaca wool dyed naturally.
Virgins of the Sun is a contemporary adaptation of a Huayno dance of the Quechua people of Peru, it was composed by Jorge Bravo Rueda in the XX century.
Marinera is a variation of the Zamacueca dance, which was created by the Muchik indigenous peoples and African descendants in the northern coast of Peru. It celebrates romance and love relationships.
Supaypa Wasin Tusuq is the Dance of Scissors (or Danza de Tijeras) from the Ayacucho region of the Andes of Peru, It represents duality in life, and the continuous struggle between good and bad, right and wrong, freedom and slavery.
This first video is a summary of my experience yesterday morning, during the first part of the inaugural program.
Huaylash, Waylars or Huaylarsh is a dance of the central Andes of Peru, of the indigenous Wanka peoples. It represents the pursuit of love and a mockery the machismo of the Andean men. At the end I interviewed a couple of Peruvian immigrants who were crying as they remembered their marriage 50 years ago in Peru.
Quechua woman weaving Alpaca wool dyed naturally.
Virgins of the Sun is a contemporary adaptation of a Huayno dance of the Quechua people of Peru, it was composed by Jorge Bravo Rueda in the XX century.
Marinera is a variation of the Zamacueca dance, which was created by the Muchik indigenous peoples and African descendants in the northern coast of Peru. It celebrates romance and love relationships.
Supaypa Wasin Tusuq is the Dance of Scissors (or Danza de Tijeras) from the Ayacucho region of the Andes of Peru, It represents duality in life, and the continuous struggle between good and bad, right and wrong, freedom and slavery.
Photos:
MAKIYKUMANTA
PERU– Arts and Cultural Legacy
Tuesday, July 13 - Sunday, July 18, 2010
10am-5:30pm
Potomac Atrium
National Museum of the American Indian
Metro: L'Efant Plaza, Federal Center SW
Makiykumanta website
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PERU– Arts and Cultural Legacy
Tuesday, July 13 - Sunday, July 18, 2010
10am-5:30pm
Potomac Atrium
National Museum of the American Indian
Metro: L'Efant Plaza, Federal Center SW
Makiykumanta website
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