Arruchicos dance

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This dance was linked to San Juan`s festivity, in June. The Protagonists of this celebration were Aruchicos, a term that can be interpreted as “men carrying bells” or “campanilleros“. They paraded ringing bronze bells tied to a piece of leather on their backs, forming an ensemble known as “cencerro“. Each dancer carried at least 12 bells, and their dance caused the bells to ring at a particular rhythm, in synchrony with the music of the tundas and the women’s voices. The set of 12 bells arranged in a row was called “carga”. This dance was performed in several communities in the northeastern area of Pichincha and Imbabura, including Cayambe, Cangahua, Pesillo, González Suárez, Zuleta, Pijal, Monjandita, Angla, and others.