In the first place, we can state that there are several theories about the etymological origin of the word cueca. However, one of the most widely accepted is that it derives from "broody", which refers to the hen singing after having laid an egg.
The cueca is a dance native to South America, traditional in countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Peru. In this dance, people move a handkerchief that they carry in their right hand while performing half turns, turns and flourishes.
This dance is danced in pairs, made up of a man and a woman. It is generally assumed that a man, when inviting a woman to dance a cueca, wishes to woo him, although romantic interest is not a prerequisite for dancing.
The origins of the cueca are unclear, although Spanish, African and aboriginal influences are noted. It is believed that the jota and the fandango arose the zamacueca, from which the cueca would derive.
It is important to bear in mind that the cueca developed in different ways depending on the country. That is why it is possible to differentiate between the Chilean cueca, the Bolivian cueca, the Argentine cueca, etc. In addition, there are numerous sub-genres within each national cueca: the cueca porteña, the cueca brava, the cueca tarijeña, the cueca cuyana and others.
In Chile it is one of the countries where cueca is most important. In this country it is considered that its origin is possibly in the black slaves who came to this land on the way to Peru. However, it is true that there are different theories in this regard.
It was in the canteens where, during the 19th century, this dance was most extended and popularized both inside and outside the country. And it is considered that precisely thanks to the Chilean adventurers and sailors it reached other corners of the world as would be the case, for example, of Mexico.
As for the composition as such, it should be noted that in Chile it is made up of fourteen verses that are distributed over a total of four stanzas, which are a couplet, two Seguidillias and a closing. In the same way, it should not be overlooked that it lasts less than 2 minutes and that it takes place in a 6/8 rhythm.
To all the above, it must be added that there are many topics that can be discussed in a cueca. However, among the most common are historical events, love in its entirety and picaresque issues.
It should be noted that the cueca, in addition to a dance, is a musical genre. Cueca compositions are usually performed with instruments such as guitar, harp, piano, double bass, accordion, and drums.
Although the cueca lost popularity as the 20th century progressed, it still remains an important part of South American folklore. Chile, for example, declared cueca as its “national dance” in 1979, while a decade later it established National Cueca Day (September 17). Bolivia, for its part, named the Bolivian cueca as part of the country's cultural heritage in 2015.