The Saya

We are so proud of Emily and all the youth that participated in the celebration in Sanitago commemorating the 50th anniversary of missionary work in Chile for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Below are the words to the song followed by the translation and a brief history of the origins of the song.  If you are viewing this by email, please go to jillhaviland.blogspot.com to watch the video.

Ritmo de saya, sigan bailando
sabor caliente, sigan gozando
con este ritmo, sigan bailando
saya morena, sigan gozando
con este ritmo, sigan bailando
ritmo de saya, sigan gozando

Ponle el sabor de la saya a tu vida
para sentirte mejor (bis)

date el gusto, date el gusto
el gusto de compartir (morena)

date el gusto, date el gusto
el gusto de disfrutar

canto de gente morena
canto de gente morena
con nostalgia de su tierra
con nostalgia de su tierra

magia que el viento hizo cancion

fiesta de pueblos, de otros tiempos
nuestra riqueza de tradicion (bis)

Ponle el sabor de la saya a tu vida
para sentirte mejor (bis)

date el gusto, date el gusto
el gusto de compartir (la Saya)

date el gusto, date el gusto
el gusto de disfrutar

ponerle ritmo a la vida (bis)
que buena onda seria (bis)

zamba pintame de otro color

vive la vida con alegria
baila como tu generacion
vive la vida con alegria
baila como tu generacion

date el gusto, date el gusto
el gusto de compartir (la saya)

date el gusto, date el gusto
el gusto de disfrutar

Rhythm of Saya, never stop dancing

flavor 'caliente', always enjoying

with this rythym, never stop dancing

Saya 'morena', always enjoying

with this ythym, never stop dancing

rhythm of Saya, always enjoying

Give your life to the essence of Saya

to lift yourself up and feel better (repeat)

treat yourself, treat  yourself

to the pleasure of being (morena)

treat yourself, treat yourself

to the pleasure of enjoyment

I sing of people 'morena'

Songs of the people 'morena'

Reflecting on thier origins

Nostalgic for the land of their fathers

Magic that the wind made to song

Celebration of 'pueblos', from other times

our wealth of tradition (repeat)

Give your life to the essence of Saya

to lift yourself up and feel better (repeat)

Treat yourself, treat yourself

to the pleasure of sharing (la Saya)

treat yourself, treat yourself

to the pleasure of enjoyment

Puting rhythm into your life

what a great feeling it would be (repeat)

'Zamba', paint me do a different color

live life with joy

dance like your generation

live life with joy

dance like your generation

treat yourself, treat yourself

to the pleasure of sharing (la Saya)

treat yourself, treat yourself

to the pleasure of enjoyment

 

Afro-Bolivian Saya

The Saya is an Afro-Bolivian folkloric dance (from Kilongo nsaya, meaning communal work led by a singing voice).  It is a style of music and dance that represents a fusion of African, Spanish and Aymara cultures. 

The Saya originated in the jungles of the Yungas region of La Paz more than 5 centuries ago.  In these areas African slaves were imported to work in the mines, and they brought with them their customs, music, and dances.  Over time, African and Bolivian cultures became merged, thus producing the mixed culture that is celebrated in the Saya.

The accompaniment for Saya of drums and scrapers comes from African roots, while the dress adopted by women resembles the dress of the Aymara women.  The song is performed in Castillano.  The rhythm of the dance is set by small bells fastened to the calves of the male dances that follow the principal drum.  The dance movements are very rhythmic and sensual.  Men wave their arms around with an open palm, or a closed fist, and jump and spin.  The dance of women represents beauty and is done in a flirtatious manner that shows off the dancer's skirt. 

For many years the Saya was danced only in the Yungas region of Bolivia and was not highly recognized nationally due to the suppression of Afro-Bolivians as the posterity of slaves that were considered a mixed-breed that was neither African nor Bolivian.  However, more recently there has been a great social movement that has greatly increased confidence of Afro-Bolivians.  As a result the Saya has recently become nationally recognized as a folkloric dance of Bolivia that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Afro-Bolivians, and that encourages all people worldwide to treat themselves to the pleasures and enjoyment of being Afro-Bolivian.