The dance of the Waka Tokoris (dancing bulls) satirizes bullfights and represents with irony the Spanish conquerors. The dance origin is Umala town, Camacho province in La Paz. Umala was built as a resting place for the Spanish people on their journey towards the Pacific Ocean while carrying silver.
The female dancers use many polleras (traditional skirts) and move the hips following a contagious and hypnotic rhythm, moving approximately 10 kilograms of clothes.
The dance has different characters, among these:
- The wakas men using bull's costumes (khawas) around their waist with bells around the bull's neck
- The milk woman or guides
- The k'aisillas or shepherdess
- The kusillos young man jumping and amusing people
- The jilakatas or oldest dancers
- The kausallas or bullfighters
Explore the full choreography, costume symbolism, and parade schedule for this and 18 other traditional festival dances at OruroCarnival.com Traditional Dances.
