Cuban Music

Where does the word Cuba come from?

From “cubanacan”, the Taino word for “central place”

What are the 3 major cultural influences in Cuba?

1. Indigenous: Taino, Siboney, Arawak

2. European: Spanish criollos and guajiros

3. African: Yoruba, Dahomey, Efik, Kongo

What are the 6 Cuba political periods?

1. Spanish colonial possession, 1490s-
1890s (400 years)

2. Wars of Independence: 1868-1898

3. Spanish-American War: 1898 – resulted
in Cuba moving from Spanish to U.S. rule until 1902
4. U.S.-dominated republic, 1902-1959

5. Revolution and eventual Soviet influence, 1959-1989
6. 1990+: post-Soviet economic crisis, transitional period

How did Cuba become a “playground” for Americans?

By the implementation of hotels, casinos, and nightclubs.

When was the U.S. Trade Embargo?

1962, still in effect in 2024

What has been the presidential impact towards Cuba? (Timeline)

2014: President Obama begins process of
normalization with Cuba

2016: President Obama visits Cuba

2016: Death of Fidel Castro

2017: President Trump announces he is “cancelling”
normalization

What are qualities of the African musical heritage in Cuba? (3)

• 1 million enslaved Africans brought to Cuba from
  the mid-to-late 1800s – outnumbered Europeans by
  abolition in 1886

• African musical heritage strongest in religious
  repertoire - huge influence on secular styles like
  rumba, Cuban son, and salsa

• Concept of clave: fundamental to all Afro-Cuban
  styles, religious or secula

What are the two meanings of Clave?

1. Ostinato rhythmic pattern serving as timeline

2. Percussion instrument

What was the African musical heritage in Cuba?

Space to flourish in city cabildos (Catholic mutual aid societies)
encouraged the musical/cultural practices of different ethnic
groups (Spanish fear of collective revolt)

What was the Regla de Ocha/Santeria? (2)

• Syncretism with Catholicism: a matter of
  survival and necessity, but now embraced

• Reflects the Sub-Saharan African influence of
  ancestor veneration

What are the Orishas? (5)

• Archetypes representing complex
  philosophies, values, principles

• People who did exist in
  Yorubaland but transitioned into a
  different states

• 24 major orishas

• They have attributes, associated
  objects/numbers/colors, favorite
  foods, days of the week, etc.

• Music and dance fundamental to
  their worship (distinct songs,
  dances, rhythms for each)

What is the name of the Warrior Orishas?

Los Guerreros

Who is Eleggua? (6)

• A trickster god - childlike and mischievous

• Syncretized with St. Anthony of Padua

• Colors: Red and Black – wears a cap half of each color

• Symbolized by a small crooked stick and a key

• The guardian of the crossroads, the one who “opens the way”

• Always prayed to first and last in any ceremony – keeps away misfortune and allows communication with other
  orishas.

What is a musical example referencing Eleggua?

Tratado to Elegguá performed by Agrupación Ará-Okó (a
bembé ensemble)

Who is the god of Chango? (5)

• God of War – syncretized with Santa Bárbara

• Colors: Red and White

• Symbolized by an axe

• Powerful god – the epitome of
  masculinity and virility

• Identified with fire, thunder,
  and lightning

Who is the god of Ochun? (4)

• Goddess of “sweet waters” (rivers, fountains, lakes), also love, fertility, and beauty

• Colors: Yellow and Gold

• Syncretized with Caridad del Cobre (Our Lady of Charity)

• Foods: honey, coconut meat

Who is the god of Yemaya?

Orisha of the sea, mother of all living things, fertility, motherhood, protector of women and children. Appears in white and blue,
associated with the Virgin of Regla.

What are qualities of the ceremonies? (6)

• Many occasions: initiation or anniversary of initiation, saints’ day, special offering

• Costly: they involve financial sacrifice

• Involve music, dance, costumes, food, altars in addition to religious rituals

• Each orisha has their own songs, rhythms, and dances

• Possession/union with the orishas is the goal, so that they can interact with and advise the community

• Those in trance dressed in ritual clothes

What are the 3 Bata drums?

Iya - Mother

Itotele - Father

Okonkolo - Baby

What are the 3 qualities of the Bata drums?

1. Aña: living spirit inside Batá drums

2. Omo Aña: “Children of Aña”— Batá drummers

3. Aberikula: unconsecrated drums — can be played by anyone

What are qualities of Cuban music? (2)

Bembé: Toque de Güiro = Shekeres,
bell, conga drum, maybe caja drum

Wemilere or Tambor: Consecrated batá drums

• Oru seco (oru del igbodu): Instrumental

• Oru cantado (oru del eyá aránla): Established sequences for certain orishas

• Iban Balo: Focused on one or a few
  orishas, possession happens

• Cierre: Shorter instrumental closing

What are qualities of Cuban music? Cont. (2)

Akpon: Lead singer

Tratado: Series of oru for a particular orisha

What are the instruments of Cuban Music? (6)

1. Maracas

2. Guiro

3. Conga Drums

4. Timbales

5. Chequeres

6. Bongos

What was the “Latin Craze”?

When Latin music was patronized by the wealthy, elegant elite in the U.S. (1930’s-1950’s)