In Rueda de Casino, the terms “mujeres” (women) and “hombres” (men) are often used to indicate specific instructions for each gender, as the dance typically involves partners where roles are traditionally divided into leads (men) and follows (women). These commands ensure that men and women perform their parts correctly, especially during more complex figures or partner switches.
Mujeres
- Meaning and Usage: “Mujeres” means “women.” In Rueda, it refers to the followers, traditionally the women, although anyone can take this role regardless of gender.
- Function within Rueda: The caller might use “mujeres” to specify that a particular movement or sequence should only be performed by the women in the circle. It is often used when the men and women perform different tasks during a figure.
- Practical Application: For example, the command “mujeres arriba” might instruct the women to raise their arms or perform a specific action, while the men continue with a different movement. Another example could be “mujeres dan vuelta,” instructing the women to turn while the men remain in place or perform a different figure.
Hombres
- Meaning and Usage: “Hombres” means “men,” referring to the leads, typically the men in traditional setups.
- Function within Rueda: The term is used to direct the men to perform specific actions or figures. Like “mujeres,” it is essential for creating coordination between different parts of the group.
- Practical Application: A caller might say “hombres adentro,” instructing the men to step into the circle while the women stay in place or move differently. Alternatively, “hombres giro” could command the men to perform a turn or spin while the women follow or hold a different position.
Both “mujeres” and “hombres” commands help coordinate the roles of each group within the circle. These distinctions allow for more dynamic choreography, as men and women can perform different tasks, creating beautiful contrasts and interactions in the dance.