Chumbamba

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

• The two pieces are examples of Cuban music from the Oriente region in the east of the country, which has Santiago de Cube as its main city
• The fusion of styles here involves a blending of an essentially European (Spanish) element with Latin American features, some of which also had links with African music
• The Spanish element is evident in the use of maracas, bongos and claves
• The two songs date back to the early part of the 20th century and were the work of earlier generations of La Familia Valera Miranda, the performers of the excerpts
• Cuban music is often intended for dancing and usually originated in improvisation

Question 2

Describe the stories of the pieces

Answer 2

‘Se quema la chumbamba’ (Our land is burning) is concerned with the family matriarch’s dismissive reaction to news that a fire had broken out on the Valera’s farm

‘Alla va candela’ (There goes Mr Fire) mocks one of the members of the band who had fallen madly in love

Question 3

Give the instrumentation of the band

Answer 3

• The band consists of vocalists, guitar, cuatro, double bass and percussion instruments (bongos, maracas, claves)