Colombian Music

Culture and Arts

By Rick Segreda

Melodic and multi-rhythmic, Colombia’s musical genres evoke and integrate a multitude of traditions: Spanish, Indigenous, African, and North American.  There was music in Colombia, of course, before the arrival of Spanish conquerors, and the haunting panflute melodies of Andean cultures echoes in the more contemporary Bambuco, also known as the “music in the interior.” Integrating European waltzes – which set it apart from the more purely indigenous music in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia -- it is notable for its melancholy mood. Long popular, it peaked with the public from the 1920’s to the 1930’s. Pasillo, Guabina, and Torbellino are similar blends of folk and European.

The Spanish brought not only their tunes, both ecclesiastical and secular, but stringed instruments such as the guitar, violin, cello, and bass. Through slavery, they also brought over an African population whose music added a strong element of rhythm.

Hence, Colombia’s music evolved in accordance with geography and demography. Cumbia, which along with Vallenato, is Colombia’s signature contribution to world music, arose on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, frequently the disembarkation point for imported African slaves, many from Guinea, and is a variation of that country’s own cumbe, from which this genre gets its name.

Heavy on percussion, Cumbia originally consisted of a vocals and a polyrhythmic combination of drum and wooden stick (known as clavés) beats. It was accompanied by a style of dance purportedly associated with the iron shackles worn by the slaves themselves. Over time wind, key, and string instruments along with more Europeanized melodies were incorporated.

However, it was not until the 1940’s when Cumbia was legitimized by urban and middle-class Colombians.  One Cumbia song, the Cumbia Cienaguera is known as Colombia’s unofficial national anthem.  Notable Cumbia stars include Los Teen Agers, Los Graduados, and Los Corraleros De Majagual.

The Vallenato also developed in Colombia’s Atlantic region, but in the valleys which gave the genre its name. A popular legend attributes its beginnings to a musician by the name of Francisco el Hombre defeating Satan in a contest of musical skills.  More probably, it is a derivation of Cumbia which spread through the region by traveling, musically skilled farmers for whom music was both a sole source of entertainment and means of bringing news to other areas. Like Cumbia, its key components are both a stick and a drum, but the difference here is the addition of an accordion. Flutes, guitars, and other instruments have also been added over time.

Another variation of Cumbia, Porro, which originated in such towns as Sucre and Córdoba is one that blends the “big band” sound of military brass ensembles, while Salsa began in Puerto Rico, but starting in Cali, it became Colombian genre in its own right. Champeta, popular in Cartagena and elsewhere on the Atlantic coast, is noteworthy because it has remained close to its African roots, though it has been influenced by such other Caribbean music as Reggae, Mento, and Calypso. 

Currulao, which originated Colombia’s pacific coast, is also close to its’ African origins, using marimbas, bass drums, and guasas, which are like maracas, but tubular.

“Música llanera,” which means “music of the plains” is style of music popular along the Colombian/Venezuelan border, strong on harp and which blends folk, European, and African influences.

American rock, pop, funk, soul, and rap have all had a tremendous impact during the last few decades, and some of the more famous musicians to emerge include “Hips don’t lie” phenomenon Shakira, Juanes, one of the most popular singer-songwriters in all of Latin America.