page_title: Dance in Nicaragua
section_title: Toro Huaco
hierarchical_section_title: Dance in Nicaragua / Toro Huaco
caption_attribution_description: English: Toro Huaco is a traditional Nicaraguan dance that is part of the Indian and Spanish cultural heritage of the country. Español: El Toro Huaco es una danza tradicional nicaragüense que es parte de la herencia cultural mestiza del país.
context_page_description: This is a compilation of traditional dances from Nicaragua
context_section_description: Toro Huaco is a traditional Nicaraguan dance that is part of the Native American and Spanish cultural heritage of the country. The term Toro Huaco means carnival parade of ragged men, or rather, men disguised in rags. It should not be confused with Toro Guaco, a traditional dance from the city of León.
  The Toro Huaco originated in Diriamba, Carazo, and has been preserved for over 100 years. It's usually performed during the festivities of Saint Sebastian, patron saint of the city of Diriamba. For this dance the locals dress up with very colourful costumes and the face is covered with a wooden mask placed over a scarf that is used to cover the edge of the mask.
  The ruddy hand-painted masks, resemble the appearance of a handsome Spanish character. Some masks have mustaches or beards, others are hairless. The dancers cover their heads with a hat decorated with peacock feathers, laces and other accessories. They also carry a small whip called tajona.
  The music is performed by a single musician playing a wooden whistle (tatil) and a small drum (tacún). The music  has nine different sones of melody.
caption: Toro Huaco dancers in Diriamba, Carazo.
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