MUSIC OF COLOMBIA – PAISAS
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Colombia is a country with a tremendous diversity of folk music genres, many influenced by having coastlines on both the Caribbean and Pacific oceans.
All through its history, the blood of Colombians intertwined with European traders, Indigenous, African slaves and Spanish settlers. This has in turn given an extensive blend and diversity to Colombian culture, hence the myriad of music genres in the country.
Colombian festivals are exciting celebrations of the country’s cultural heritage, combining foreign influences. These celebrations, enthusiastically characterized by explosive parades, animated music, and elaborate dances, play a crucial role in preserving cultural traditions and enhancing a sense of national identity and pride.
Colombia is a country fantastically rich in culture, music and dance. The country’s diverse cultural heritage is reflected in the distinct musical styles resulting in salsa, vallenato and cumbia among others.
The music and dance scene in Colombia is incredibly vibrant and plays an important role in the country’s cultural identity. Whether it is the energetic rhythms of salsa or the upbeat melodies of vallenato, the Colombian music and dance scene is guaranteed to get your feet moving.
Paisa is an abbreviation of the Spanish word Paisano, meaning countryman. This is highly likely to have derived from the way of life of those early settlers who consisted of people working the land by means of agriculture, cattle ranching, gold mining and coffee plantations.
Paisas often consider themselves different from other Colombians and according to genetic studies, they are actually an isolated population distinct from the rest of the country.
They can be traced back primarily to the autonomous Spanish community of Extremadura that borders Portugal. To a lesser extent, they can also be traced back to the Basque region and this is reflected today by the proliferation of Paisa surnames that are of Basque origin.
Paisa is also a geographic, cultural and ethnic label referring to inhabitants from large swathes of Colombia. Often considered as the people of the Medellín area of Antioquia, their reach actually spans much further, to include the Eje Cafetero, which is dominated by the Andes.
Colombian popular (folk) or mainstream music, also known as música de cantina, carrilera music or simply música popular, is a festive and lively genre originating from the country’s Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda and Quindio departments.
This folk genre has been heavily influenced by Mexican regional music, such as mariachi and corrido (ballad) and also incorporates elements from other Latin American styles such as tango and boléro (musical dance).
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Bambuco, yet another genre originating from the Andean region of Colombia, embodies the charm and elegance of Colombian folk music. With its acoustic guitar, tiple (a small guitar-like instrument) and gentle rhythms, bambuco evokes a sense of nostalgia and, in particular, for the rural landscapes and traditions of the country.
It is often accompanied by traditional dances that reflect the grace and deep-rooted traditions of the Colombian people. Bambuco influences much of Colombian music as this genre is enjoyed in numerous pueblos and cities within the Andes. It is mainly performed by duets or trios that use the guitar, the tiple and the bandola, all stringed instruments.
Bambuco is poetic and nostalgic. Its melancholic melodies produced by the harp, guitar and flute create a soul-stirring ambiance. Colombians refer to this genre as folkloric.
HISTORY OF COLOMBIAN POPULAR/MAINSTREAM MUSIC
Colombian popular mainstream music emerged during the 1930s and 1940s in the rural areas of Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda and Quindio. Initially, it was primarily distributed along the Antioquia Railroad system, from whence it gained the name carrilera (track or line) music.
Farmers in these regions adapted the new foreign musical styles, especially from Mexico, to their local sounds, creating songs that reflected their own experiences. The lyrics often shared ubiquitous themes of love, heartbreak and common, everyday life.
This contributed to the genre’s popularity and strong connection with the Colombian people.
CHARACTERISTICS
Colombian popular mainstream music is characterized by its capacity to fuse several musical genres, including mariachi, corrido, tango and boléro, while still maintaining its own identity.
One of the most distinctive features of this genre is its vocal style, which is typically melodic and passionate and conveys a strong emotional charge. Singers emphasize the clarity of the lyrics and focus on expressing feelings directly and profoundly, instantly connecting with the audience.
INSTRUMENTS
The principal instruments used in Colombian popular mainstream music are the guitar, accordion, tiple (similar to a guitar), bandola (mandolin) and gaita (bagpipe). Percussion instruments are also widely used. This resulting instrumental combination, along with the genres’ heartfelt lyrics, creates a musical experience that is both emotional and enjoyable, making it quintessential for fiestas (parties) and celebrations.
The characteristic sound of these instruments highlights the festive and sentimental nature of the genre, making it a fundamental part of Colombia’s musical culture.
Two of the more interesting instruments used in this widely popular folk music of Colombia are the kuisi (flute) or gaita (bagpipe). The kuisi is an indigenous flute that is made from a hollowed-out cactus stem.
The Colombian tumbara (percussion instrument) is also widely used, while the marimba is another instrument that is typically used in Afro-Colombian folk music, but nowadays universally. The marimba is a percussion instrument consisting of a set of wooden bars struck with mallets to produce musical tones.
THE TROVA PAISA
Originally a trova was a folk song by gypsies in the Middle Ages in Europe, with the concept eventually arriving in Colombia from Spain. Although trovas are sung in other parts of Latin America, especially Cuba, Mexico, and Peru, in Colombia, the Paisas of Antioquia and the Eje Cafetero have made it a cultural competition.
The trova is an oral phenomenon, where verses are improvised and sung with exaggerations, creating a competitive and humorous sensation. The need to express humour and the rhyme that must accompany it make this performance a demanding art.
The trova paisa is par excellence, the best known, however, this technique can be used to characterize everyday situations anywhere.
A trova is a simple rhyming song that is used to express personal experiences that are often considered a subtle form of political or cultural commentary. The Feria de Manizales features a Trova contest, which is the second most important Trova competition in Colombia. The principal one is held in Medellín in August at the famous Flower Festival.
Paisas have made the trova an improvisational competition where the participants or trovadores must seamlessly link one singer’s idea to the next singer’s idea while rhyming (typically a, b, b, a or a, b, a, b) and often playing the tiple (guitar). The audience plays a crucial role, reacting to the performances and often participating in the judging process.
Just seconds prior to the competition, a topic is assigned by a panel of judges. The two contestants then battle it out and are judged on the lyrics that they invent on the fly and how well they link them to their competition.
@tytmedellin “¡Descubre la magia de la trova paisa!” 🎶 Originaria de la región montañosa de Antioquia Colombia, la trova paisa es mucho más que música; Es un viaje lleno de humor, ingenio y tradición. Con sus versos improvisados y de ritmo pegajoso, la trova paisa te transporta a un mundo de alegría y celebración.💃 ¡Déjate llevar por sus letras ingeniosas y su contagioso ritmo y únete a la diversión! 🥳 #medellin #pueblitopaisa
FAMOUS VOCALISTS
Juanes
He was born in 1972 in Medellín and is one of the most famous Colombian authors, composers and performers.
Juanes is a very popular singer in Colombia, especially in his paisa region of Antioquia and indeed in all of Latin America. He mixes different typical Colombian rhythms like bambuco, vallenato and cumbia with pop and rock.
Andrea Echeverri
Vocalist of what is probably the most emblematic Colombian rock band, Aterciopelados, she began her career as a soloist, dedicating herself to what has always been her passion, protest songs with rhythms ranging from rock/pop to folkloric.
Toto La Momposina
Traditional and folk music in Colombia immediately brings to mind Toto La Momposina. An overwhelming personality, a voice that resounds on every stage and a heritage that gives her a musical genius that is easily recognized.
Karol G
The voices of the best Colombian female singers have taken the music scene by storm. Karol G is a name that never ceases to be heard on the radio, in magazines, and in music streaming; she is everywhere.
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