Tobas
Encyclopedia
The Tobas is a folk dance
from Bolivia
.
The folkloric dance of the Tobas speaks of the ancient past of Bolivia. It has roots in a time when the Incas were the predominant force in the Andean highlands region. Tobas is an athletic dance comprising agile steps accentuated with many jumps and bounds.
When the Incas came to conquer them, they were amazed by the rich culture of fierce warriors that they encountered.
The Incas greatly admired the Tobas dance and they were taken from their Amazonian homeland by the Emperor Tupac Yupanqui. The dance and music of the Tobas has been reinterpreted by subsequent people of Bolivia like the Aymara and the Mestizos.
Today, Tobas is a prominent part of the annual carnivals. (Like the Carnaval de Oruro
or the Bolivian Festival in Virginia.)
The Tobas dance culture is not only being kept alive in Bolivia
, but also by various groups in Virginia(Centro Cultural Bolivia or CCB)and in Sweden (Centro Cultural Bolivia Norrkoping).
The dance steps have special names: Bolivar (quick with regular jumps); camba (very agile, one meter high jumps); chucu-chucu (with a faster rhythm that amuse the audience, in the foot tips, almost in the knees); and the cullahui jump.
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
from Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
.
The folkloric dance of the Tobas speaks of the ancient past of Bolivia. It has roots in a time when the Incas were the predominant force in the Andean highlands region. Tobas is an athletic dance comprising agile steps accentuated with many jumps and bounds.
History
The Tobas were a tribe of warriors who lived in the Chaco region of Bolivia.When the Incas came to conquer them, they were amazed by the rich culture of fierce warriors that they encountered.
The Incas greatly admired the Tobas dance and they were taken from their Amazonian homeland by the Emperor Tupac Yupanqui. The dance and music of the Tobas has been reinterpreted by subsequent people of Bolivia like the Aymara and the Mestizos.
Today, Tobas is a prominent part of the annual carnivals. (Like the Carnaval de Oruro
Carnaval de Oruro
The Carnival of Oruro is a more than 2000 year old religious celebration that, through creativity, continuity, and ritual, came to constitute a model of "Masterpieces of Oral Heritage and Intangible Heritage of Humanity...
or the Bolivian Festival in Virginia.)
The Tobas dance culture is not only being kept alive in Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
, but also by various groups in Virginia(Centro Cultural Bolivia or CCB)and in Sweden (Centro Cultural Bolivia Norrkoping).
Dance
The Tobas dance is a special representation of energy - a singular dance with impressive jumps performed by the dancers to impress the audience. This unique dance is performed during religious and other festivities as well as the Oruro Carnival.Not only do you need a good physique ,but a lot of stamina and energy.The dance steps have special names: Bolivar (quick with regular jumps); camba (very agile, one meter high jumps); chucu-chucu (with a faster rhythm that amuse the audience, in the foot tips, almost in the knees); and the cullahui jump.
