Festejo (from Spanish 'fiesta') is a festive form of Peruvian music. It can be seen as a celebration of Perú's independence and the emancipation of slaves, or as an attempt to reinvent diaspora African music without reference to slavery. Composers of all races have contributed to the development of festejo repertoire. Its origins are in a competitive circle dance performed by men playing cajóns. Nowadays, people of all ages and races participate in a witty dance accompanying the festejo. Native Peruvian music is dominated by the national instrument, the charango. ... - Peru (Spanish: República del Perú) is a country in western South America, bordering Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the east, south-east and south, Chile to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ... Africa is a large and diverse continent, consisting of dozens of countries, hundreds of languages and thousands of races, tribes and ethnic groups. ... A cajón (Spanish for crate, drawer, or box, pronounced ka. ...

External link

• Peru Profundo Dance Company - Folkloric dance company in Chicago that performs "Alcatraz" and Festejo as part of it's repertoire.