Majeño

In the past the region of Paucartambo did not produce spirits made from sugar cane (aguardiente). Instead they imported the alcohol from the Majes River Valley near Arequipa. The merchants brought the product by mule trains across the high Andes. The Majeño dancers represent these merchants, dressed in leather jackets, scarves, riding breeches, spurred boots and with a bottle of beer or spirit in hand. The dance leader is known as the Old Majeño  (Corporal) who dances with his elegant wife (la dama) who wears a pretty dress and carries a colourful parasol.