Once shunned as symbol of Chilean nationalism, this folk dance is now capturing imaginations worldwide. The eye contact is intense, the costumes elaborate and the handkerchiefs wave overhead in dignified fashion. A man with a large hat and a woman in a red dress circle, taking short, deliberate steps. As they draw near each other, the guitar music intensifies. They flirt in ritual. This is cueca, with variations referred to as zamacueca or marinera. And while you may not have heard of it yet, this folk dance is on its way to becoming the next tango: universally known, globally taught and a poignant symbol of the Latin American diaspora. Because the dance takes various forms, many countries claim it as their own. Different nations call it by other names, and variants exist even within countries. Cueca originated in early 19th century Peru, created by African-origin (mostly) enslaved people and was called zamacueca, says Laura Jordan, a musicologist. By 1820, it made its way to Chile, where Jordan says its African origins were “diluted.” In recent decades, the dance was embraced as a national symbol by former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, which resulted in the loss of its mainstream popularity. But now, cueca is staging a comeback throughout Latin America, and it’s taking off in new parts of the world. | 
