Religion and Homeland: Chilean dances in the Ayquina Festival

Abstract

The relationships between nationalism and religion are analyzed in the context of Chilean republic’s bicentennial commemoration. To that purpose, the Ayquina festivity (near Calama) is observed. Attention is focused on el Marinero (the Sailor), a dancing expression which, together with the Huaso, symbolizes nationalism.
The double symbolic element is stressed in this type of dance. On the one hand, it represents the idea of being a Chilean in the military forces and, on the other hand, it depicts the Andean logic of the Northern sanctuaries where dancing and singing and paying tribute to the virgin are fundamental.