African American Culture

675 Words3 Pages
Cuban Rumba vs. Harawi, Carnaval, and Yaravi of Peru. Music in Latin America greatly varies from region to the region, country to country. The reason for such diversity is the fact that starting with colonization almost all the indigenous musical traditions were influenced if not completely forlorn by the European (Especially Hispanic), African and Asian cultures and their representatives from all over the world. Cuban Rumba serves as a great example of the modernization of the musical culture under African and Spanish influences. Mainly because it managed to successfully combine the traits of the various cultures and in the end produce a musical genre with absolutely special characteristics. As for Peruvian music, Harawi, Carnaval, and Yaravi…show more content…
It fully emerged after the slavery was officially abolished in 1886 though the cultural interchange between the Spanish and African working class cultures and today it became unseparatable part of the popular Cuban Culture. By that time Spanish musical traditions were already a combination of European, Asian and Arabic influences. Moreover, secular and sacred traditions of the African ethnic groups had a great impact on the overall direction of the genre due to the mere fact that even under the pressure from colonial Spanish authorities African population managed to preserve their drumming traditions and overall rhythmic legacy. This vigorous multicultural mix provided a great platform for creation of the new and original…show more content…
Yambu is the oldest type of Rumba (Cuba’s colonial period) of the urban origin. Yambu is a slow couple dance with the stately steps and imitation of difficulty in the plain movements. Usually, the lead singer starts the piece with a melodic vocal introduction phrase known as “Diana”. Yambu is usually followed with accompaniment of Cajones, Claves, and two Cucharas that serve as the drumsticks. Guaguanco is also of urban origin and it is the most widely popular Rumba. Guaguanco involves a couple dance with certain degree of sexual flirtation and complex style. Generally has moderate to fast tempo. Voice has great rhythmical independence and involves certain degree of improvisation. Instrumentation consists of well Cucharas, Cajito, Chekere and Maracas. Guaguanco gathered all different musical styles and unified them in one unique musical tradition. Contrasting with these two types, Columbia is of a rural origin and it is a fast and highly acrobatic dance. The dance is performed solo, mostly by men with a restlessness to demonstrate courage, fearlessness, and strength. In this case Tumbadoras are played instead of Cajones, and general accompaniment consists of Quinto Drums, Tres-Dos, Salidor, Claves, Palitos, and
Open Document