Cumbia… Latin American style originated in Colombia’s

costal region  During the mid-20th century, Colombian

band leaders such as Pacho Galan and Lucho Bermudez orchestrated this Caribbean folklore and brought it to different parts of Latin America, where it gained particular popularity in Mexico, Argentina, and the Andean region.

Cumbia began as a courtship dance practiced among the African slave population that was later mixed with European instruments and musical characteristics 

Characteristics

Cumbia is a variant of Guinean cumbé music. However, it should be noted that the rhythm of Cumbia can be found in music of Yoruba and in other musical traditions across West Africa.

Characteristics Cont.

Spain used its ports to import African slaves, who tried to preserve their musical traditions and also turned the drumming and dances into a courtship ritual. Cumbia was mainly performed with just drums and claves.

Vocabulary

el baile- dance el cortejo -courtship la flauta- flute la pareja -couple el tambor - drum un pañuelo –kerchief sueltas- flowing

Instruments

La Flauta- The Flute

El Tambor- Drum

Instruments

La guitarra El acordeón

Traditional Dress