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This is the national dance of Chile; Cueca. It is a mix of both Spanish and African culture. Cueca is thought to be originated from Zamacueca, a traditional dance from Peru. Cueca is renowned as a courting dance where the dances enact the courting between a hen and a rooster. The male dancer is agressive while the female dancer is elusive and demure. The dancers also wave handkerchiefs around their head. These symbolize the feathers of a hen or the comb of a rooster. The choreography of the Cueca consists of moving in circles and semi-circles. The man and woman stand on opposite sides of the circle which is about three meters apart. The clothing the male wears in Cueca is to wear a cowboy hat, shirt, flannel poncho, riding pants, short jacket, and spurs. The female wears a flowered dress and an apron. Cueca was declared the official national dance of Chile on September 18, 1979 (Independence Day).
