Evoke the suffering to which people brought from Africa were subjected to enslave them during the Spanish Colony..
The Dance
The Dance of the Little Black Men in Bolivia, also known as Tundiqui, is a stylized, urban representation of Afro-Bolivian culture from the Yungas region. It is a specialty of the Carnival of Oruro and is also present in other Bolivian festivities.
Clothing
Below, we will see the most widespread traditional version of the Carnival of Oruro and Bolivia.
Male (Caporal)
The male attire consists of the following elements:
Mask:
A mask with very pronounced Afro-descendant features (bulging eyes and thick lips), made of plaster or tin.Hat:
A wide-brimmed hat adorned with colorful ribbons, feathers, or sequins.Upper Garments:
A long-sleeved shirt worn with a richly embroidered waistcoat or jacket, sometimes known as a "cotón".Bottoms:
Dark trousers (often made of a shiny fabric such as satin or velvet) adorned with fringe, sequins, and motifs down the sides.Footwear:
Dark boots or shoes, often accompanied by bells or rattles.Man (Musician)
The attire is similar to that of the foreman, except they do not wear boots with bells, nor do they carry the whip. Instead, they carry their musical instrument, the drum.
Woman (Spanish woman)
The stylized costume worn by women in the Dance of the Negritos (representative of the Bolivian Yungas region) blends Afro-Bolivian heritage with haute couture elements. It is characterized by a fitted corset or bodice, a short, voluminous skirt, and bejeweled details.
Bodice or Jacket:
Usually made of velvet or corduroy, fitted to the body. It is completely hand-embroidered with floral motifs, borders, and figures using beads, sequins, and gold thread.Skirt:
Unlike traditional skirts, the stylized version is usually shorter and fuller (sometimes with several layers of tulle or lace underneath), allowing for greater freedom and a more graceful movement.Blouse:
A light blouse (generally made of lace or with a peasant neckline) worn under the bodice, leaving the shoulders bare for a more aesthetic and modern look.Woman (the "Negra" or "Maringuilla")
"La Negra" is a central female character who represents the companion of the black slave. Along with the Caporal and the other dancers, she portrays the experiences of this population during the colonial era in the mines and valleys.
Hat:
A Borsalino or low-crowned hat decorated with beads.Blouse and Skirt:
A brightly colored blouse and a long skirt adorned with embroidery, sequins, and petticoats.Shawl:
A typical Andean shawl or blanket draped over the shoulders.Accessories:
The use of abundant traditional jewelry, such as earrings and necklaces, is prominent.Characters
The main characters in the choreography symbolize the colonial era, slavery, and the African heritage in the country:
The Foreman:
Among the characters in the dance, the foreman stands out. He is a mestizo, the son of a Spanish father and a Black mother, who held the position of overseer to supervise the mining operations in the mines of Potosí and Oruro.
This character wore a large, wide-brimmed hat, as well as a whip and boots with bells.
He is the leader of the troupe; he carries a whip to "impose order" and directs the group's movements.
Woman (the "Negra" or "Maringuilla")
In the Dance of the Little Black Men (also known as Tundiqui) in Bolivia, the "Black Woman" and the "Maringuilla" are two key female characters. They represent mestizaje (racial and cultural mixing), satire, and the historical memory of the colonial era and the Afro-Bolivian presence in regions such as the Yungas and the Potosí mines.
The "Sibarita":
She embodies the Black woman associated with candombe dances, displaying traits of mischief and sensuality. Previously, they painted their faces black, but over time the dance evolved, and dancers with their natural skin tones joined the group. The presence of white women in this dance is a perfect example of how a traditional dance undergoes a process of stylization and urban folklorization.
Las Ñaupas (or Negritas):
These are women dressed in traditional skirts who represent the matrons or Black women of the time.La Cholita:
She represents the Afro-descendant woman who performed field work and domestic chores in the homes of the landowners.El Achachi:
He represents the slave trader or Iberian/European landowner. He is the owner of the land and the slaves, supervising the overseers.
The Drummers and Musicians:
Vital to the structure of the dance, they play instruments such as the box drum, the maracas (caracachas) and the reco-reco to mark the Afro rhythm.History
This is one of the dances that, like La Morenada and Los Caporales, evokes the history of the peoples brought from Africa to live alongside the natives of the Americas during the Spanish colonial period.
The symbiosis of Bolivian and African peoples and cultures gave rise to the Tundiquis or Negritos dance.
The Tundiquis or Negritos Today
The Tundiquis or Negritos dance is one of the 18 dance specialties recognized as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The dancers are mostly young people who, to the rhythm of lively music, venerate the Virgin of Socavón in the city of Oruro, Bolivia, during the famous Carnival of Oruro.
