RUMBA = La Negra Tiene Tumbao…

            El Espiritu De La Rumba: “Pa Ke Tu Me Llama”

African slaves first arrived in Cuba in the 16th century with the early Spanish settlers. Due to the reliance on sugar as an export during the late 18th and early 19th century, great numbers of slaves were brought to work on the sugar plantations. Where large populations of slaves lived, African religion, dance, and drumming were clandestinely preserved from generation to generation.

During the 19th century in Cuba, specifically in urban Havana and Matanzas, people of African descent originally used the word Rumba as a synonym for party. The term Rumbon is frequently used to denote rumba performances in the streets.

Rumba is a secular genre of Cuban music involving Dance, Drum, and Song. It originated in the central regions of Cuba, mainly in urban Havana and Matanzas, during the late 19th century. It is based on African music and dance traditions, namely Abakuá and Yuka, as well as the Spanish-based coros de clave.

Traditionally the Rumba has been classified into three distinct styles: Yambu, Guaguanco and Columbia. Both Yambu and Guaguanco originated in the solares, large houses in the poorest districts of Havana and Matanzas mostly inhabited by the descendants of African slaves.

Rumba instrumentation has varied historically depending on the style and the availability of the instruments. The core instruments of any rumba ensemble are the Claves, two sticks that are struck against each other, and the conga Drums: Quinto (lead drum, highest-pitched), Tres Dos (middle), and Tumba or Salidor (lowest-pitched). Other common instruments include the Kata or Guagua, a wooden cylinder; the Palitos, sticks to struck the Kata; shakers such as the Chekere and the Maracas; Scrapers such as the Guiros; Bells, and Cajones, wooden boxes that preceded the congas.

Yambu is considered the oldest style of Rumba, originating in colonial times. Hence, it is often called “yambu de tiempo España” – yambu of Spanish times. It has the slowest tempo of all Rumba styles and its dance incorporates movements feigning frailty.  Although Male dancers may flirt with Female dancers during the dance, they do not use the vacunao of Guaguanco.

Guaguanco is the most popular and influential rumba style. It is similar to Yambu in most aspects, having derived from it,  but it has a faster tempo. The term “guaguanco” originally referred to a narrative song style which emerged from the coros de clave of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Columbia is a fast and energetic Rumba, originated in the hamlets, plantations, and docks where men of African descent worked together. Unlike other Rumba styles, Columbia is traditionally meant to be a solo male dance. Columbia originated from the drum patterns and chants of religious Cuban Abakuá traditions. The drum patterns of the lowest conga drum is essentially the same in both Columbia and Abakuá. The rhythmic phrasing of the Abakuá lead drum bonko enchemiya is similar, and in some instances, identical to Columbia quinto phrases.

Men may also compete with other men to display their agility, strength, confidence and even sense of humor.  Columbia incorporates many movements derived from Abakuá and Yuka dances, as well as Spanish flamenco, and contemporary expressions of the dance often incorporate break dancing and hip hop moves. In recent decades, women are also beginning to dance Columbia.

In Cuba, Rumba is a generic term covering a variety of musical rhythms and associated dances. The Rumba has its influences in the music brought to Cuba by Spanish colonizers as well as Africans brought to Cuba as slaves. Rumba is more than a music and dance genre; it is the collective expression of the Creole nature of the island itself. Rumba is a secular genre of Congolese African and Spanish flamenco influences, and is one of the primary ancestors of popular music in Cuba.

Cultural retention among the Bantu (Palo), Yoruba (Lukumi), Fon (Arara), and Efik (Abakua) had the most significant impact in western Cuba, where rumba was born. The consistent interaction of Africans and Europeans on the island brought about what today is known as Afro-Cuban culture.

Banchereau Patrice Tambor Ijesa

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5 thoughts on “RUMBA = La Negra Tiene Tumbao…”

  1. Eladia Albuerne = Wow la rumba es mi fuerte me encanta, bueno creo que era sólo buena en Folklore estudié danza en la escuela de arte Maestro.
    ” Wow the rumba is my forte I love it, well i think it was just good at folklore I studied dance in art school teacher.”

  2. Thank you for sharing your knowledge Mastero! I had a couple questions for you to help me better understand the part of the Requinto. Is there a specific spot where it should be placed with clave? Is it different as far as note placement than the quinto? I’ve seen it played often with cajones para rumba.
    Thank you and Feliz ano Nuevo!
    Stan

  3. Iboru Ibuya Baba. Greatest Article. Thanks. Things are moving fast back here. Lots of Great things, and unfortunately lots of ridiculous things as well. It’s always enlightening when I encounter you. Maferefun Èlodumàré, Màferéfun Egun. Màferéfun omio Yemojà.

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