The characteristic tired steps of the Morenos are related to the grape tread.
Morenada
The dance of the Morenada is one of the specialties of the Carnival of Oruro, then some information about this contagious rhythm
Clothing and Mask of the Morenos
The dress and mask of the morenada evolved over the years.Man
The male costume in the Bolivian Morenada (present in the Carnival of Oruro and the Gran Poder festival) is one of the most luxurious, heavy, and elaborate folk costumes in the world. The designs vary, but it is basically divided into the following main parts:
Mask
The oldest Moreno mask preserved in the museum is from 1875 and was made by Pánfilo Flores. The design that we can observe is delicate and subtle, a little simpler than those observed now.At the moment the masks of the brunettes have very large and outstanding eyes, in addition to the outgoing tongue, that aspect represents the fatigue and the illnesses that they suffered when living in the heights.
Boots
The male groups in the Morenada dance wear tall leather boots to complement their wide trousers. These are tall, structured boots, often designed to be worn under or up to the length of the richly embroidered trousers, which feature designs representative of Oruro.
Jacket
The rattle is an inevitable element in the dance of the morenada, its sound is usually associated with the squeak produced by the friction of the chains carried by the slaves.
Richly embroidered costumes with rhinestones, exaggerated African masks (large lips, flat nose) and heavy, evoking the work of slaves.
Women "China morena"
The women's costume of the Morenada (known as "China Morena") is one of the most luxurious garments in Bolivian folklore. It evolved from the 20th century onward into a haute couture piece distinguished by its opulence, hand-embroidered details, and beading. Its main components are:
Hat:
A very elegant borsalino or bowler hat, traditionally adorned with colorful ostrich feathers on top and rhinestones.
Corset or Blouse:
It is a form-fitting garment that flatters the figure, adorned with the same style of embroidery as the shawl and skirt. It typically features a plunging neckline that showcases the slender figure of the woman dancing the Morenada.
The pollera, skirt
The pollera is a pleated skirt of colonial origin with several layers and vibrant colors. It has petticoats or underskirts underneath that give the pollera volume.
Footwear:
Leather or patent leather boots with embroidery and sparkly details, with high heels that usually reach the knees, and some designs even go above them.
Sleeves, arm warmers, or gloves (optional)
In the women's section (the "dark-skinned women"), decorative accessories are often worn on the arms. The arms may be covered with decorated sleeves that match the style of the skirt and the overall attire.
The Shawl (optional):
A rectangular silk or velvet shawl that covers the shoulders. It is completely embroidered with gold and silver threads and inlaid with fine gemstones.Además de estas prendas, el look se complementa con joyería de plata (prendedores tradicionales llamados tupus) y accesorios de gala. En las manos, la bailarina lleva un par de guantes finos y sostiene una pequeña matraca (instrumento musical de madera tallada y decorada) que marca el ritmo del baile.
The Dance
The characteristic tired steps of the Morenos are related to the grape tread. For Urquizo Sossa la Morenada represents the uprising of blacks against the fearsome Caporal, who by means of deceits get drunk and then make him step on grapes, but Vargas thinks it is the Morenos themselves, who have to step on the grapes.
The clothing of the Morenada dance stands out for the bulky, colorful and heavy costumes of the men, this makes the dance very lively and the path of the groups is slower compared to the others, in contrast the dress of the ladies is simpler and more feminine.
Men
The men perform a slow, weary, and swaying step, imitating fatigue and the weight of the loads, while simultaneously playing traditional rattles to the rhythm of the bands.
Women
The women also perform slow steps, but their movements are more graceful, attractive, and sensual. Their costumes accentuate their movements, especially the short skirts that sway elegantly to the music.
History and origins
The Morenada originated in the colonial era. It is a cultural expression that represents the oppression of African slaves brought to the silver mines. Over time, it evolved into a dance with its own steps, a lavish performance that, to the rhythm of rattles, is present at important events such as the grand folkloric parade of the Carnival of Oruro, the Gran Poder festival in La Paz, and the Corso de Corsos in Cochabamba.
Colonial Roots
The dance originated in the Viceroyalty of Peru (present-day Bolivia) as a representation of African slaves forced to work in mines, such as those in Potosí. Initially, slaves, and later mestizos and criollos, ironically imitated the fatigue and chains of the enslaved Africans with heavy steps, using masks and exaggerated costumes to mock the landowners and overseers.
Transformation and Cultural Blending
Over time, the dance adopted indigenous, criollo, and Spanish elements, becoming a rich and complex cultural expression, especially prominent in the Carnival of Oruro, a UNESCO World Heritage Masterpiece, and in the Fiesta del Gran Poder in La Paz.
Bolivian Identity
The Morenada is today a symbol of Bolivian culture and faith, uniting diverse peoples in a celebration of their history, identity and resistance, despite controversies about its exact origins among neighboring regions and nations.
Folk groups
- The Morenada Folkloric Ensemble "Zona Norte" is the oldest, its foundation was in 1913, born from the comparisons of brunettes of the nineteenth century.- The "Morenada Central Oruro Fraternity" which was founded in 1924.
- The Morenada Central Fraternity founded by the Cocanis Community
- The Morenada Ensemble "Mussels" was founded many years later in 1977.
- Los "Reyes morenos Comibol", its foundation was in 1978.
- The Reyes Morenos Fraternity "Ferrari Ghezzi" which was founded the same year in 1978.
- The Morenada Metallurgical Fraternity "ENAF"
La Morenada today
