Tinku, a Bolivian Quechua tradition from Norte Potosí, began as a form of ritualistic combat. In the Quechua language, it means “meeting-encounter.” During this ritual, men and women from different communities will meet and begin the festivities by dancing. The women will then form circles and begin chanting while the men proceed to fight each other; eventually the women will join in the fighting as well. Because of the rhythmic way the men throw their fists at each other, and because they stand in a crouched stance going in circles around each other, a dance was formed. This dance, the Festive Tinku, simulates the traditional combat, bearing a warlike rhythm. The Festive Tinku has become a cultural dance for all of Bolivia, although it originated in Potosí.
This dance is performed by the Tinkus Wapurys Tiataco
(Virginia, USA)
