The drastic clash of cultures that first occurred at the discovery of the Americas has shaped the nations of the world. In many countries, foreign culture slowly but steadily destroyed and devastated native cultures to the point of no existence. There have also been situations where cultures have been able to coexist and thrive where there is a relationship based on respect and acceptance. This is the case for Colombia. Colombia is a country where you can be in the snow in the morning then find yourself deep in the Amazonian jungle in the afternoon and at night find yourself sleeping in a desolate and barren desert listening to the crashing of waves on the rocky shore. Colombia is a country that has been known and recognized for its diversity. One of the places where this cultural heterogeneity is most evident is known as the Guajira, the northernmost department of Colombia. One aspect of life in the Guajira which is a perfect example of the great mixture of cultures is the music and dance of the region.
The Wayuu tribe that stays in the Colombia department of Guajira, have grown and made their own music and dances. They use these two to express their religious believes and not for entertainment, therefore, as a tradition the only way to learn their rutines and music is from the eldest in the community.
When there is a young boy in the community that has demonstrated good attitudes and values, his grandfather or the brother of his mother will teach him the rhythms and how to make the instruments, to continue the tradition. The young boy will learn to make drums from the leather of their most valued goats, flutes from a tree called Guadua, trumpets and maraca from the Totumas.
With this instruments, the boy will learn how to make the music for their dance, called the Chicamaya. However, two Wayuu boys, Moises and Wanuto, clarified to me that dance was a ritual that could only be practized in certain moments. For example, when someone is hurt very badly, the community must dance for three days straight for the gods to heal that person. Also, there is a dance in a marriage, arranged by the eldest in the community. In the case of marriage, they specified that a man can have up to five wifes at the same time, while the women can only have one man but they are allowed to have romances in their young ages.
Goats have a big meaning for the Wayuu community, therefore music and dance always come along with goats. For example in marriage, the man has to give a certain number of goats to the uncle of the wife, depending on the importance that their last name has. Goats are important because when any Wayuu dies, the family must have atleast one goat to give to every person that comes to the funeral.
Throughout history music and dances have been an important aspect of every culture. Not only do they serve as entertainment but it is also a way to prepare yourself for the adult life, to thank god, or in preparation to get your mate. The Wayuu culture of la Guajira considers this aspect of their culture to be really important by having various festivals and important dances that they have for special occasions. One of their dances is a special dance to thank God when it rains due to the shortage of water they suffer. The Yonna dance is their most traditional dance and it is done to enlarge the female values or used to get permissions that otherwise would be complicated to get. The first time a young woman dances the Yonna is when she has gone through puberty, passed her mental and emotional changes and is now ready to be a woman. This usually takes three to five years. Once the girl gets her first menstruation she must be locked up and taught by her mother and aunts the role that Wayuu woman has. Once she has finished and comes out she will do the dance to show her tribe members she is ready. She will dance with firm steps and dress with vivid colors to show she is now ready to handle a man, this will grant her the power and permission to get married. Once the ceremony has passes and she has been presented infront of her tribe, they all together make a circle with the family and guest. The first man that wants to dance challenges the woman yelling “jutzaaa” to them and the one that accepts the challenge will follow the man around in circles. He must always dance backward and his feet may not be removed from the ground. The purpose of this dance is for the man to show that even if he is at a disadvantage compared to the woman he is still the man; and for the woman to show her power, sensuality, and purity. This part of the dance is commonly known as the “Samutkuya” or paso del gallinazo because of the way the male has to move his feet, very close together and fast almost like vacuuming the floor. The Yonna is also known as a sacred ritual and it’s danced in special ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, or when a tribe members dream invokes it.
Vallenato is a popular folk genre of Colombia. Vallenato is a type of music which incorporates African, Spanish, and Native Colombian music. The typical instruments which traditionally make up a vallenato are the accordion, which was brought to Colombia from Germany; the “caja vallenata,” a small drum originally used by African slaves; and the “guacharaca,” a traditionally Native Colombian long wooden stick that is ribbed and produces a scraping sound when rubbed by a fork. Contrary to popular belief, vallenato actually originated from the Guajira department. Nowadays, in January, there is a vallenato festival in Riohacha, the capital city of the department of the Guajira. Culture is more important than what we think because it represents most of the beliefs of one civilization. Music and dances play an important part in this representation since most of their rituals and ceremonies come from the music. Being able to learn this teaches us the values and this culture and how different civilization has ended up today.
Paredes Daniel
Paredes Sara
Music And Dances of La Guajira.
The drastic clash of cultures that first occurred at the discovery of the Americas has shaped the nations of the world. In many countries, foreign culture slowly but steadily destroyed and devastated native cultures to the point of no existence. There have also been situations where cultures have been able to coexist and thrive where there is a relationship based on respect and acceptance. This is the case for Colombia. Colombia is a country where you can be in the snow in the morning then find yourself deep in the Amazonian jungle in the afternoon and at night find yourself sleeping in a desolate and barren desert listening to the crashing of waves on the rocky shore. Colombia is a country that has been known and recognized for its diversity. One of the places where this cultural heterogeneity is most evident is known as the Guajira, the northernmost department of Colombia. One aspect of life in the Guajira which is a perfect example of the great mixture of cultures is the music and dance of the region.
The Wayuu tribe that stays in the Colombia department of Guajira, have grown and made their own music and dances. They use these two to express their religious believes and not for entertainment, therefore, as a tradition the only way to learn their rutines and music is from the eldest in the community.
When there is a young boy in the community that has demonstrated good attitudes and values, his grandfather or the brother of his mother will teach him the rhythms and how to make the instruments, to continue the tradition. The young boy will learn to make drums from the leather of their most valued goats, flutes from a tree called Guadua, trumpets and maraca from the Totumas.
With this instruments, the boy will learn how to make the music for their dance, called the Chicamaya. However, two Wayuu boys, Moises and Wanuto, clarified to me that dance was a ritual that could only be practized in certain moments. For example, when someone is hurt very badly, the community must dance for three days straight for the gods to heal that person. Also, there is a dance in a marriage, arranged by the eldest in the community. In the case of marriage, they specified that a man can have up to five wifes at the same time, while the women can only have one man but they are allowed to have romances in their young ages.
Goats have a big meaning for the Wayuu community, therefore music and dance always come along with goats. For example in marriage, the man has to give a certain number of goats to the uncle of the wife, depending on the importance that their last name has. Goats are important because when any Wayuu dies, the family must have atleast one goat to give to every person that comes to the funeral.
Throughout history music and dances have been an important aspect of every culture. Not only do they serve as entertainment but it is also a way to prepare yourself for the adult life, to thank god, or in preparation to get your mate. The Wayuu culture of la Guajira considers this aspect of their culture to be really important by having various festivals and important dances that they have for special occasions. One of their dances is a special dance to thank God when it rains due to the shortage of water they suffer. The Yonna dance is their most traditional dance and it is done to enlarge the female values or used to get permissions that otherwise would be complicated to get. The first time a young woman dances the Yonna is when she has gone through puberty, passed her mental and emotional changes and is now ready to be a woman. This usually takes three to five years. Once the girl gets her first menstruation she must be locked up and taught by her mother and aunts the role that Wayuu woman has. Once she has finished and comes out she will do the dance to show her tribe members she is ready. She will dance with firm steps and dress with vivid colors
Vallenato is a popular folk genre of Colombia. Vallenato is a type of music which incorporates African, Spanish, and Native Colombian music. The typical instruments which traditionally make up a vallenato are the accordion, which was brought to Colombia from Germany; the “caja vallenata,” a small drum originally used by African slaves; and the “guacharaca,” a traditionally Native Colombian long wooden stick that is ribbed and produces a scraping sound when rubbed by a fork. Contrary to popular belief, vallenato actually originated from the Guajira department. Nowadays, in January, there is a vallenato festival in Riohacha, the capital city of the department of the Guajira.
Culture is more important than what we think because it represents most of the beliefs of one civilization. Music and dances play an important part in this representation since most of their rituals and ceremonies come from the music. Being able to learn this teaches us the values and this culture and how different civilization has ended up today.