MODULE 27: La Curacha (Mexico)

I.                    Objectives:

At the end of the lesson students are expected to:

a.       understand the meaning of the la cucaracha;

b.      discuss the brief history of La Cucaracha; and

c.       demonstrate the basic steps of La Cucaracha.

II.                  Overview:

La cucaracha (Spanish: the cockroach) is the traditional folk corrido that became popular in Mexico Revolution. The La Cucaracha dance is all about “The Little Cockroach.” This is a dance known to all Mexicans. This is usually performed in social gatherings. Couples are arranged informally round the room and the participants may be arranged in any desired formation.

III.                Learning Content:

"La Cucaracha" (Spanish: "The Cockroach") is a traditional Spanish folk corrido that became popular in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. It has additionally become a verse played on car horns.

Origin

“La Cucaracha” is a traditional Mexican/Spanish folk song. The exact origins of “la Cucaracha” (Spanish: Cockroach) are unknown. It has been suggested that it was composed following the expulsion of the Moors from Spain on January 2, 1492, whilst others say it is about Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa’s car, which frequently broke down and earned the nickname la cucaracha from villa’s troops. The lyrics consist of independent verses, often improvised. The one prototypical verse is: La Cucaracha, la cucaracha/ Ya no puedecaminar/ poque no tiene, porque le (the cockroach, the cockroach/ he can’t walk anymore/ because he doesn’t have, because he lacks/ Marijuana to smoke). This version is supposedly about President Victoriano Huerta, who was a notorious drunk and user of narcotics. To confuse things further, during the Mexican Revolution, the song was frequently given political lyrics by rebel and government forces alike. Today, the song is primarily regarded as Mexican, though it was probably originally written in Spain. All about the Dance La Cucaracha means “The Little Cockroach”. This is a dance known to all Mexicans. This dance is usually performed during the social gatherings. There are as many meaning of “La Cucaracha” as there are versions of it. The same can be said for the word itself. The word can refer to the insect. It can also be used to refer to a person derogatorily by association with a cockroach. It has been used as an underworld slang term for marijuana or a marijuana cigarette stub (whence the American slang term “roach clip”), or tobacco adulterated with marijuana, or tobacco adulterated with anything. It has been used as slang for a vehicle or train car without any wheels.

Costume

The boy or the male wears “blousy” shirt, a low cut vest, a jacket cut something like a long bolero, and long rather tightly fitting pants decorated sometimes with silver buttons. On his head, he has a huge sombrero and on his arm he carries his brightly colored zerape.

Music and Steps

Music: the music for this dance is divided into two parts. A and B with the counting of one, two and three to a measure. Formation: couples are arranged informally around the room. The boy clasps his hands around his back, the girls’ holds her skirt gracefully at the side or the participants may be arranged in any desired formation. Partners stand side by side, the girl in the right of the boy. 

Music A. Play once

Partners stand side-by-side facing fronts. Throughout the figure, partners turn slightly away and toward each other. They perform cross-waltz steps in place. The first step (ct. 1) is strongly accented with a decided “dip” of the knees in this dance. Starting with the inside foot, take eight cross-waltz steps in place. Girl holding the skirt, boy clasping hands behind……………………………………8M Figure II

Music A. Play Once

Partners face each other and do the cross-waltz steps revolving around each other. Starting with the R (right) foot, take eight cross-waltz steps forward moving clockwise. Crossing the R foot over the turn the body, to the left and bring them into a position touching R elbows. When the L (left) foot is across the R, the left elbows are touching……………………………..8M Figure III

Music B. Play Twice

Partners are side-by-side facing steps front. The following directions are for the boy; reverse for the girl.

Boy steps sideward L (ct. 1), steps R close to the L foot (ct.2), steps L sideward left again (ct. 3), stamps R foot in place (ct. 1), pauses (ct.2 and 3), puts weight on the R foot……………………………….2M

Three steps turn L away from the partner (ct. 1, 2, 3). Stamp R foot twice, keeping the weight on the L Foot (ct. 1,2), pause (ct. 3) ……………………………………………8M

Steps R sideward toward to the partner (ct. 1), step L close to R foot (ct. 2), step R sideward again (ct. 3). Step L foot in place (ct. 1), stamp R foot twice (ct. 2, 3)………………………………….2M

Starting with the r foot, three steps sideward F to change place with partner. The girl passes in the front of the boy (ct. 1, 2, 3). Stamps L foot (ct. 1), pause (ct. 2, 3)………………………………….2M

Repeat all from steps A-D starting with the opposite foot, finish in to the original position………………………...8M