Dance in Peru
Dance in Peru is an art form primarily of native origin. There are also dances that are related to agricultural work, hunting and war. In Peru dancing bears an important cultural significance. Some choreographies show certain Christian influence. Amazonas Region. La Chumaichada. La Chumaichada is "the dance of Chachapoyas" because it was born in this area and it was widely practised until becoming institutionalized. No holiday or celebration is complete if it is not danced. The music has probably an Indian origin, but the choreography has a French origin stemming from "Los Lanceros" (The lancers) - dance inserted  in Chachapoyas by the bishop of the diocese at that time, monsignor Emilio Lissón, of French origin. It has been said that he had so much influence that the city became Frenchified during his time. Los Danzantes de Levanto. Levanto is a little town that is approximately 10 km away from Chachapoyas, whose "dancers" form a very well trained showy group of thirteen cholos, that are guided by a "pifador" (a person who whistles) that plays the "antara" and a small drum called the "tinya" simultaneously. They wear a white shirt of wide and long sleeves, a black vest adorned  with red ribbons and black trousers. They also wear a crown of showy peacock's feathers. Their presence is important in all the big celebrations of the region. Other well-known dances that are performed in diverse localities are: Carnaval in Amazonas. The "carnival music" that is played in of real euphoria. It is similar to the huayno. At its times, couples dance forming the "pandilla" (a kind of dance) around the "humishas" - trees adorned with quitasueños, small mirrors, ornamental chain stitches and pennants. These trees are filled with gifts, including live animals, which the guests take when these trees  are knocked down at the end of the celebration. The couple that makes the "humisha" fall down in a Mardi gras celebration has the commitment to make a new "humisha" from the following year onward.