Cumbia has a three-century history across many countries. With roots inside an African dance brought to Colombia via the slave trade, this Latin American musical backbone brings many diverse regional traditions together from a shared beat. On this rhythmic trip through the roots of cumbia and its presence in Tejano culture, go through space, time, as well as the border.
Regardless on what you’re doing which century you are all in, cumbia can seem extremely different. Cumbia was known as “chicha” in Peru in the 1960s, and that it blended huayno and psychedelic rock. Selena Quintanilla, a Tejana icon, with singles like “Baila Esta Cumbia” inside the 1990s.
For their single “Cumbia de los Aburridos” in 2007, Puerto Rican reggaetoneros Calle 13 provided this contemporary spin on cumbia. Cumbia has been inspired by a variety of sounds, instruments, etc styles out over years, with every nation and performer bringing their own distinct perspective. And, while cumbia sounds vary depending on where you are in the world, there is one sound that unites them all.
“In Colombia, they use a scraper called a guacharaca to make the chucu-chucu-chu rhythm that you associate with cumbia,” explains Professor Héctor Fernández L’Hoeste, who published the book “Cumbia! : Scenes of a Migrant Latin American Music Genre.”
According to L’Hoeste, the earliest documented existence of cumbia dates from the 19th century. Cumbia began as an African dance brought to Colombia via the slave trade.
It was initially envisioned as just a blend of three civilizations, including Spanish lineage alongside African slaves present, as well as Indians.”
According to L’Hoeste, the traditional, regional Caribbean dance got commercialised as well as whitened over time. During the 1940s and 1950s, orchestral arrangements were added. Cumbia began to take on a big band sound as a result of musical trends inside the United States.
Cumbia evolves from a localised heritage to a nationally known music throughout this time. Following that, the song swiftly travels to Mexico.
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