Objectives

The purpose of this project is to construct an archive specializing in materials related to Andean folk performing arts selected from Minpaku collection of Peruvian cultural materials. The materials in question are those related to the comparsas and folk dances (danza folklórica) of religious festivals in the Andean region, in which include items such as masks, costumes and musical instruments. In addition to constructing an archive of Minpaku collection, that mainly collected from the southern highlands of Peru, where folk performing arts are very popular, the ultimate aim is to provide more in-depth information about the actual condition of Andean folk performing arts, through dialogue with source community as local performers and artisans.
Through this work, we aim to present image of actual folk performing arts in the Andean southern highlands, and to create a platform for recording and documenting the local folk performing arts, which are currently being registered as an intangible cultural heritage of Peru, so that will contribute to future research in this area.

Description

The main collection of Peruvian cultural materials use in this project are Peruvian masks, costumes, and musical instruments. There are around 350 items, most of these materials are from the southern highlands of Peru, which include items of famous Andean folk performing arts such as dance of scissors (danzante de Tijeras) and dance of devils (Diablada). They also include numerous comparsas masks, which feature in the Festival of the Virgin of Carmen in the village of Paucartambo in Cusco. This project will therefore construct an archive of folk performing arts focused on Minpaku collection collected from the Andean southern highlands.

(1) Link items to folk performing arts
There are many types of Andean comparsas and dances, that have own unique masks and costumes. Therefore, in our database, these items are linked to their respective comparsa or dance. We also associate musical instruments with these folk performing arts, since the performances of folk performing arts is often accompanied by music which matches the steps of the dance or comparsa .

(2) Add relevant information
In addition to the information about the materials that make up the basis of archives, we be add images and video clip of each comparsa and dance. To prepare these relevant information we will utilize existing video footage and augment it with new footage taken during the field survey. And, in addition to the main search options (free text search, search by location and material name), we will create our own search options as comparsa / dance, festival, and added the video clip, so that the archives of this project can provide renovate information.

(3) Translation into multiple languages
We will translate the archives in English and Spanish to facilitate information sharing with local stakeholders. It also necessary to collaboration with local Quechua-Spanish speakers, since some of the songs singing at comparsa are in the indigenous Quechua language.

(4) Research on folk performing arts
We will conduct joint research with member of overseas experts to investigate the regional situation of comparsa and folk performing arts. To carry out this research, we will obtain the cooperation of the National Museum of Peruvian Culture, the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions at the Riva Agüero Institute and the Instituto Cultural Teatral y Social, which has a large collection of masks and costumes. Based on this research, we will also create a map that understand the situation of folk performing arts that currently can found around the Andean southern highlands.

(5) Clearing copyright
When preparing to publish the archives, we will clear any copyright issues for the images and video materials by working together with experts from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture’s Directorate of Intangible Heritage, who are very familiar with these issues.

Expected results

(1) This project focuses on comparsas and folk dances originated in southern Peru. In recent years comparsas have spread from rural to urban areas, such as Cusco City, in the Andean Mountain region. Many comparsas now appears at festivals of saints and the Virgin Mary throughout the cities. This project will enable us to understand the situation of folk performing arts which are expanding within this region.
(2) Many comparsas and folk dances take place during Catholic religious events, such as carnivals and festivals of saints and the Virgin Mary, so the member of these groups are generally people who have participated due to their religious beliefs. Research about the condition of these folk performing arts, which are performed as offerings to God and saints, will lead to a greater understanding of the actual religious dynamics in the Andean region.
(3) Many Andean comparsas and folk dances have a long history dating back to the colonial times, and some are now designated as national intangible heritage. Our archives record and study various folk performing arts and provide opportunities for future research aimed at preserving and utilizing this cultural heritage.

Outcomes from 2023

The main activities carried out in the first year are below:
(1) Selecting materials: 106 masks, 50 costumes and 244 musical instruments were selected to compose the new archives.
(2) Designing the archives: In addition to the primary search category (free text search, searching by the name of the location or materials), we have created our own option to search by comparsas / dances, festival, and added the video clip.
(3) Shooting/ editing video: We edited video clip of Andean comparsas shot locally, and converted video film of festivals collected in the past.
(4) Joint research with overseas researchers: Joint studies were conducted with local counterpart institutions and overseas researchers to investigate the current condition of comparsas.
(5) Collecting information on masks: We visited a mask workshop in Cusco to collect information about mask production and interviewed artisans in order to identify items which basic information (name, local of production or use) is lacking.
(6) Building a network with folk performing arts performers: We met with comparsa group members who participate in the festivals held in the Cusco City (Almudena church) and in the village of Paucartambo to make a network with performers, that necessary for the future use of the archives.
(7) Holding a workshop: A joint workshop was held in Lima City (March 2024) with Instituto Cultural Teatral y Social (a counterpart institution). Discussions were held with the 18 artisans participated from distinct region about Minpaku collection and obtained new information.
(8) An article about this project was published in Minpaku Tsushin Online No. 9 (March 2024).