The Gueguence; A Comedy Ballet in the Nahuatl-Spanish Dialect of Nicaragua

The Güegüence centers on a cunning character the Güegüence (or old man) who uses wit and trickery to defy the colonial authorities. Through a series of humorous exchanges with Spanish officials the Güegüence cleverly evades oppressive demands embodying both resistance to colonization and the resilience of indigenous identity. The characters speak in a rhythmic musical dialogue combining dance and drama to convey themes of social and political critique. Brinton’s work not only preserves this rare example of Nahuatl-Spanish theater but also provides insight into the cultural synthesis and resistance of the indigenous Nicaraguan people. This comedy ballet remains a significant piece of Nicaraguan folklore and is celebrated as a symbol of national identity recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.