by Isabel Ovalle
After founding a ballet in Singapore, doing so in Qatar came swiftly to Cristina Cobos, a Mexican who moved to Doha over four years ago. On her arrival she met the cofounder and co-director of Ballet Folclórico Latinoamericano, Yulyer Prada, from Colombia. Little by little, they put together a group of women who dance to Latin American music, spreading the culture and folk dances of their home countries, like Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Argentina.
The two friends met through the Spanish Speaking Ladies group of Qatar and shared their love for dancing, realising that their expatriate status gave them a unique opportunity to serve as ambassadors for their respective cultures, focusing on folk dances of their homelands.
With this objective in mind they began recruiting women, all of them had previous experience in dancing. The group currently has 14 members who perform at least twice a year in events organised by the Spanish Speaking community, as well as in the shelter for Filipina women and in the Catholic Church of Doha, Our Lady of Rosary. During the Christmas season, the group also performs in the church’s fund raiser to help local workers.
For these ladies, dancing is the best way to pass on the colourful and rich culture of their countries, it’s like speaking an extraordinary language that the audience will understand whichever their nationality. For some of the dancers, being a part of this group is “a dream come true”, because it allows them to practice dances from their country and feel connected to it while they do it.
The group, like many others in expat communities, serves as a base for “extracurricular activities” and, ultimately, to make friends. Members of the group have many things in common, given that most of them have moved to Qatar due to their husbands work. Some have jobs, whilst others take care of the family, whereas all, coming from various backgrounds, share a passion for dancing.
The co-director of the group, Yulyer Prada, told The Peninsula how, through dance, she has been able to teach her children about her roots. She added that being in Qatar, folk “has reached a different level” for us.
Qatari nationals also enjoy watching the performances of these Latin American dancers, and complement the bright colours and striking fabrics of the characteristic clothing of the different countries. These particular garments are, in most cases, brought from America, while some pieces are made in Qatar.
The cofounder of the group, Cristina Cobos, reminisced about finding the traditional poncho for the Baile del viejito (Dance of the old man), which she spotted in the most unexpected place, a store for camels. The dancers used the cloth that is placed on top of the camel, with a hole for the hump, as ponchos.
Dancers participate in the group’s activities for free and have no sponsors. Consequently, sometimes they run into complications such as finding a place to rehearse. Luckily, two years ago, a friend of the group offered them the possibility to rehearse in Al Rayyan Village compound.
The group has performed in weddings, in the French school during the Spanish language week and at Stenton University, among other venues. The next chance to see them will be at Doha’s Got Talent festival, on December 19 and 20, and at the celebration of the day of the Lady of the Rosary.
The ballet performes dances from Mexico, such as: El son de la negra, Las alazanas, and El jarabe tapatío, from the Jalisco región; La bruja, El colás, El canelo, and La bamba, from Veracruz; Flor de piña, and Pinotepa, from Oaxaca; Danza de los viejitos, from Michoacán; Pávido Návido, from Monterrey; and Las Chiapanecas, from Chiapas.
Other Latin American dances performed by Ballet Folclórico Latinoamericano include the Joropo from Venezuela and the Tango la cumparsita, from Argentina, as well the Bambuco, Bullerengue, Pollera colorá, and El pescador, from Colombia.
Many of these Latin American folk dances have their origin in peasant towns and indigenous tribes. The influence of the Spanish culture is also noticeable in the clothing and ballets. In the case of Mexican folk, its roots are a mixture of indigenous, European and African cultures, and it continues to change. The Peninsula
