''Cachua'' (''qachwa'', ''qhaswa'', ''kashua'', ''kaswa'', ''kachura'') ( or , diminutive form ''cachuita'') is a term from Quechua language ''qhachwa'', meaning "round dance," that is the Spanish name for a Latin-American baroque dance form found mainly in Peru. It still exists today as a

circle dance Circle dance, or chain dance, is a style of social dance done in a circle, semicircle or a curved line to musical accompaniment, such as rhythm instruments and singing, and is a type of dance where anyone can join in without the need of partne ...

. The term was also applied to some villancicos to Spanish texts with cachua rhythm, such as two examples in a report submitted to

Charles IV of Spain Charles IV (Carlos Antonio Pascual Francisco Javier Juan Nepomuceno José Januario Serafín Diego) 11 November 1748 – 20 January 1819) was King of Spain and ruler of the Spanish Empire from 1788 to 1808. The Spain inherited by Charles IV ...

c.1788-1790.Appel "A report sent to Charles IV of Spain between 1788 and 1790 includes a collection of melodies from northern Peru, which is headed by two Christmas songs subtitled cachua. The present-day cachua is also a circle dance, performed by ......" It is in rapid unsyncopated 2/4 time.

References

{{Circle dance Peruvian dances Circle dances