Devotion to Mary has long been a notable feature of the church and the number of Marian shrines throughout the world testify to that. We immediately think of Lourdes and Fatima as the two most popular sanctuaries dedicated to Mary, but in fact the two shrines that draw most pilgrims are in Latin America. One is in Mexico, "Our Lady of Guadalupe", and the second is an immense Basilica in Brazil which is called "Our Lady Aparecida", a word which means 'appeared', as the devotion centres around a statue that appeared in a fisherman's net in 1717. Between them, these two shrines attract nearly 30 million pilgrims a year.
"The Month of Mary" is held in Chile starting on November 8 and finishing on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. During this month, the rosary is said by groups of people both indoors in homes and chapels and outdoors in plazas, parks and on street corners the length and breadth of Chile. Over one million people participate in the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, (a Public Holiday) at the Sanctuary of Lo Vasquez half way between Santiago and Valparaiso. Many of the pilgrims walk for more than 100kms over several days to get there.
It is not surprising then that in the parish of Combapata, high is the southern Andes of Peru the biggest and most beautiful Fiesta of the year is also a Marian Feast, that of "Our Lady of the Rosary". I was formerly the parish priest in this Quechua speaking area. This feast is held at the beginning of October with the 7th and 8th being the main days. During the Fiesta up to 20 brightly costumed dance groups process and dance in honour of Mary.
One of our parishioners, Edwin, comes from another part of Peru. When he arrived in Combapata early last year for work reasons, he was asked by Dorita, the Coordinator of one of the dance groups if he would like to join Kullawarda. "What is it and what does it do?" he asked. The reply was that Kullawarda is a "comparsa" or dance group, composed of youth from the parish, that dance at the Fiesta of "Our Lady of the Rosary" and on other special occasions.
"Do you have to learn a special dance?" asked Edwin. "Yes," answered Dorita, "but we practise for a month before the feast, because Kullawarda has a number of different steps that blend together in six movements or choreographies." But Edwin was still curious. "Why do people want to dance for the Virgin?" he asked. With the wisdom that comes from experience, Dorita replied, "The best time to ask the dancers will be at the end the feast when they are flushed with the excitement of dancing."
Edwin joined the group and the next month was busy with the practices, fundraising, arranging for the food and accommodation for the band, hiring the costumes. But at last all was prepared and the feast began.
On the night of the vigil, Kullawarda went to the house of the family who had accepted the responsibility of organizing the feast and accompanied them in procession to the church where a large number of flowers and candles were carried in to add to the decorations.
At 9:00am on October 7, the church was overflowing with all the 20 different dance groups as well as the many people who were born in the town but now lived elsewhere. These former residents always returned faithfully for the feast of their beloved patroness. The dance group, Qapaq Negro crowded around the altar to fulfil their long tradition of singing at the Mass.
Representatives from each of the dance groups acted as acolytes, serving on the altar at the Mass. When the Mass finished, the leading authorities of the town carried the richly decorated statue of "Our Lady of the Rosary" on their shoulders.
When they arrived at the main plaza outside, the first dance group, chosen by lot, had the privilege of carrying the statue, while the other groups danced in front, before taking their turn to carry their "Mamacha" - little mother - on their shoulders for the next 50 metres around the central plaza of the town.
When the procession completed the circuit of the plaza, which took about two hours, the statue was placed on a table in front of the church and each group had the chance to dance their full repertoire of steps and choreographies. Then the groups composed of younger people found their allotted place in the plaza and continued to dance with all their energy.
The same pattern was repeated on the second day of the Fiesta as well as before the groups sang their farewells and the statue was returned to her place of honour in the church.
Edwin hadn't forgotten the suggestion of Dorita and the moment the last step had been danced he began to ask the participants of Kullawarda why they danced.
- Luz Delia and Edith burst out together saying that they danced because of their faith and devotion to the Virgin of the Rosary "who means so much to us because she is our mother."
- Elmer said simply that he danced to make Jesus and Mary happy.
- Veronica replied that she loves to dance at the Fiesta "to show the affection I feel for Mary who is our mother who protects us from all danger and fills the people of Combapata with blessings."
- Isidora said that her motive for dancing "was to thank Mary for the faith that l have and also to show my gratitude to those who helped us financially so that the youth of the parish could dance to show their love for Mary and 'Manuelito' (Jesus)."
- Fernando's reply was: "I like to dance to show publicly my faith that was developed in the parish youth formation programme and as I dance, I pray that Mary will bless all young people and that they will have the chances we have had to know her son, Jesus."
- Yoel added that he dances because he is a Christian and a Catholic and because in the parish he learnt to have faith and hope in Jesus and his mother, Mary.
- Shamira added a new note when she said that as she is studying away from home, it is wonderful to return home to share in the lovely dance with other young people who have faith in Mary.
- Finally Julio Cesar thanked Edwin for the opportunity to explain why he dances: "I came from my studies in Cusco in order to thank Our Lady of the Rosary for the Columban presence in the parish which has strengthened the faith of us young people. We have been given the heartfelt desire to dance again this year in gratitude for all that we have received from the hands of Our Mother of the Rosary."
"Will you all dance again next year?" asked Edwin. "Yes," everyone shouted, "With the help of the Virgin!"
Columban Fr Donald Hornsey has worked in Latin America for over 40 years.
Donate to support the work of the Columban Priests
or
Read more from The Far East, January/February 2015
 |
LISTEN TO: Reflection - Dancing for Mary Duration: 8:31mins, MP3: 3.9MB) |