In Hispanic culture, music and dancing unites our family, our friends, and our community. Together it connects us to the traditions of our ancestors. - Marcy B.
Childhood Memories
Growing up I have fond memories of gathering together with my family at weekend celebrations and parties where dancing and music was the highlight of the evening. We created a circle around an individual who took turns with others on the dance floor (usually the center of a living room). We clapped, we cheered, we encouraged the creativity that followed as our bodies flowed in step to the sounds of the music coming from the stereo. I enjoyed watching the adults dance together in unison. If moods were down, this was guaranteed to uplift.
During Hispanic Heritage month, I share with you various videos from different countries of Latin culture with bits of their history. I hope you enjoy this post and listening to the many flavors of Latin background. Great to share with your family, children, and in classrooms.
CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH VARIOUS STYLES OF MUSIC AND CULTURE
MUSIC FROM MEXICO
Mariachi, Norteño, and Banda are three traditional styles of Mexican music. Mariachi
is a type of musical group/band (distinctive of the Spanish theatrical orchestra), playing at least two violins, two trumpets, one Spanish guitar, one vihuela (a high-pitched, five-string guitar) and one guitarrón (a small-scaled acoustic bass). Mariachi originated in the Mexican state of Jalisco and is a mixture of Spanish, native and African traditions. Norteño comes from the Northern part of Mexico and has its roots in polka (from the German settlers that arrived in Texas around 1830). The main instrument is the accordion then accompanied by a 12 string guitar called bajo sexto and next the bass and drum. Banda comes from the Southern state of Sinaloa in Mexico. Proud brass, sassy woodwinds, and pounding drums are the instruments used. Banda has it's origins in military bands.
MIX OF LATIN MUSIC
Enjoy various styles and sounds of Latin Music from different countries.
MUSIC FROM CUBA
Cuban music has contributed to the development of a wide variety of genres and musical styles around the globe, most notably in Latin America, the Caribbean, West Africa, and Europe. Examples include rhumba, Afro-Cuban jazz, salsa, soukous. Spanish fusion genres (notably with flamenco), and a wide variety of genres in Latin America.
MUSIC FROM PUERTO RICO
Bomba is a traditional style of Puerto Rican music and dance that reflects the African heritage of the island. The musicians use three instruments: maracas, cuá (two wooden sticks), and the bomba barrel, which is a large drum played with the hands. Plena is another genre of music that originated in Puerto Rico with African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences. The traditional instruments include panderos (hand drums of different sizes), guitar, cuatro (a small guitar), accordion, and often brass instruments like trumpet and saxophone. Source: https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/article/guide-to-music-puerto-rico
MUSIC FROM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Merengue is the national music and dance of the Dominican Republic. Bachata, Salsa, Son and as well Reggaeton are other genres popular on the island. The instruments that are used reflect the diverse identity of the Dominican Republic; influenced by its roots in the Spanish, African and indigenous Taino cultures: The güira, from the island’s Taino tradition; a cylinder composed of metal with a brush to play it from top to bottom. The yembé, a drum of African origin. The accordion, called trikiti or trikitixa, from Spanish culture.
MUSIC FROM BRAZIL Samba is a Brazilian music style that developed in the the favelas, or slums, of Rio de Janeiro in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its deep roots are traced back to the customs and traditions brought by African slaves.
AFRO LATINO MUSIC (Afro-Latinos are Latin Americans of full or mainly African ancestry). This style of music is from Latin American countries influenced by the black slave population that came from Africa.
IMAGE BELOW: Here am I, Marcy Baez (born into a Dominican and Puerto Rican family), dancing at my baptism in New York City on February 23,1980.
ORIGINAL PHOTO OWNER: UNKNOWN
