This blog focuses on three types of traditional Latin American music and dancing: mariachi from Mexico, salsa from the Caribbean and cueca from South America.
Mariachi is the most popular music found in Mexico especially during festivals and weddings. Mariachi is performed by men who travel in bands of three or more players. The players wear traditional clothing which consists of large sombreros (see picture above), special decorated suits and a type of colourful cravat. Generally, the group features a guitar player, a trumpet player and an individual who plays a large guitar called a guitarón. The music is lively and may or may not feature singing.
Salsa is a type of dance based out of the Caribbean. Most traditional salsa comes from Cuba or Puerto Rico and was brought to America in the 1960s when a large number of Puerto Ricans emigrated to New York. Salsa employs a lot of percussion instruments particularly the cencerro. Also included are the trumpet, trombone and guitar. Salsa dancing is very popular globally. Couples combine basic steps with a lot of hip movement and twists and turns.
The cueca is a dance with a long history in Chile, Bolivia, Peru and parts of Argentina. According to legend the dance emulates the mating dance of chickens! Couples dancing la cueca wear old-fashioned clothing. Women wear long dresses and men wear traditional ranchero type outfits. Rancheros are the men that work with cattle. The couple around each other waving white handkerchiefs which represent the feathers of the chicken. This dance is most popular in Chile where it is considered the national dance and is performed on festive days.
