The baroque andean danzante in the Royal Audience of Quito. Historical, sociological and anthropological Approaches

Abstract

This study analyzes the origin of the Andean baroque danzante in the territorial space of the Royal Audience of Quito, turning to certain chroniclers who expressed a definite European, indigenous and mestizo vision in their descriptions. On the other hand, the political ritual of legitimation of power is evidenced, through the detailed analysis of different dances performed by the “Indians”, in order to determine the degree of appropriation of the space and the baroque-festive material culture of the Old Regime. Finally, the symbolic baroque characteristics in the danzante’s attire and its relationship with the festive material culture of the 19th century are discussed.