photo by (via Creative Commons)
Your adventure tour of Colombia will often include local street festivals, fiestas, and music while dining and experiencing other aspects of the culture. The music of Colombia has a long and rich history, with melodic strains and traditions inspired by Native tribes, Africans, and Spaniards. Get familiar with some of Colombia’s most famous musical styles.
photo by Luis Pérez (via Wikipedia Commons)
Cumbia
Hailing from the Caribbean coast of Colombia near Santa Marta and Cartagena, the Cumbia style’s heavy use of drums is distinctly influenced by Afro-Caribbean culture, while the flutes and guacharaca (a percussion instrument made of ridged wood that is played with a fork-like object) invoke the traditions and cultural impact of the Native tribes, like the Tayrona. Rounding out the sound are the Spanish melodies, and often, the choreography. A beautiful example of the traditional Cumbia sound is the famous song “La Pollera Colorá.” If you are lucky enough to catch a performance, this courtship dance might just take your breath away. [See a video here.]
photo by (via Creative Commons)
Bambuco
Especially famous and celebrated in the Andean region is the Bambuco music style. The traditional instruments for Bambuco music are the stringed instruments of the tiple (a 12-stringed member of the guitar family and considered Colombia’s national instrument), mandolin, and guitar. Because of the heavy influence of strings, Bambuco can sound similar to Spanish guitar music, but it has a unique waltz beat in 3/4 or 6/8 time. You might find that Bambuco music has a light and ethereal sound, with hints of romance, which makes sense, because it’s often accompanied by couples dancing flirtatiously. [See a video here.]
photo by (via Flickr)
Colombian Salsa
Music and dance are entwined in the culture of Colombia, and that is never more obvious than when it comes to Salsa. No, not the sauce for tortilla chips, although the name does hint at a certain spiciness! Salsa music and dance are found in many Latino countries, but most likely originated in Puerto Rico and Cuba in the 1960’s. Colombians, of course, put their own spin on this musical tradition - Salsa Dura (hard salsa). Known for fast, driving rhythms and lots of brass instrument, Colombian Salsa will get you on your feet. [See a video here.]
photo by Donna Lou Morgan (via Wikipedia Commons)
Colombian Pop
Pop music in Colombia can trace its roots through all of the traditional musical styles of the nation, as well as the big band sounds of the mid-19th century, and the influence of rock from the United States. “Pop” just means popular, so the sound of pop music is always evolving along with the tastes of the people. One of Colombia’s pop stars who has achieved crossover success is Shakira. You can hear the influence of the Cumbia rhythms, as well as modern synth and a catchy pop hook. With her rich voice and stunning Colombian beauty, it’s no wonder she shot to the top of the pop charts at home and in the U.S. [See a video here.]
There are dozens of other musical traditions and styles in Colombia, such as Porro (big band), Vallenato (accordion), Currulao (heavy African influence), and Joropo (harp). When you book a customized tour with Uncharted Colombia , experiencing some of the music flavors of Colombia is a guarantee. Whether exploring the regions surrounding Bogota or the wind-swept coasts of the Caribbean, you’ll be sure to experience a slice of the musical traditions of this beautiful country and her people. Colombia is waiting.