A social dance of pre-Hispanic Inca origin. It is found in Bolivia, Peru, northern Chile, Ecuador and northern Argentina. Of enormous popularity, its modern forms are part of the repertory of various ensembles. It is characterized by syncopated, anhemitonic pentatonic melodies beginning with a leap of a perfect 4th and ending with descending pendular motion. The huayno has a binary structure and duple metre, is in moderate tempo and often concludes with a fuga section that repeats the piece at twice the original speed. It is a scarf dance performed in couples, with limited zapateo (foot-stamping), and can be accompanied by sicuri bands or by harp, guitars, bombo (bass drum) and charango (small fretted lute) ensembles.
WILLIAM GRADANTE