Saya II by Katherine Martinez
$125.00
Original ink and watercolor on deckled watercolor paper
5×7 inches unframed
*Note this piece has gold accents that do not photograph well
Saya, a colonial dance and music form originating in the “altiplano” region between modern day Peru and Bolivia, originates from the integration of African slaves with the native Andean population. The name “Saya” stems from the Kikongan word nsaya, an African term akin to a work song, further reinforcing the dance’s African roots. While the Saya dance is still used by Afro communities in their struggle for equal rights, its use has been widely expanded from the original purpose, now used to express community solidarity in countries including Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina.
