Drumming is just drumming you may think. But the fact it that there is quite a bit of variety in the way and in the context in which drumming takes place across the Spanish-speaking world.
For now, just two different examples.
The first one comes from Calanda, in the Aragón region, in Spain. These drums there are strongly associated with Easter. The so-called Romper la Hora (to Break the Hour) is the time on Good Friday where the small town goes from silence to the entire town playing drums at once and in unison. The drums stop playing when the “pregonero” (announcer) declares the death of Christ and the procession of the “Santo Entierro” (or Holy Burial) takes place. These drums will not be heard again until the following year.
Easter week is one of the most deep-rooted celebrations in Spain, with centuries of history and tradition. It is about the remembering of the passion and death of Jesus Christ. In the majority of Spain’s cities, towns and villages you will find the different forms in which tradition stages this historical event. Its religious dimension brings out into the streets different expressions of fervour and devotion in memory of Christ’s death.
A completely different take on drumming we find in Colombia, with the group AAINJAA. This word means “to do, to elaborate, to manufacture, and to build” in the indigenous Wuayuunaiki language of one region in Colombia. This band has approximately 1,000 members based mainly in Bogotá and Medellín. If you want to see how their drumming differs from the one in Calanda, this is the video clip you need. No religious dimension in this case, by the way!
Any examples of drumming in your own country that you would like to share here?
No comments yet.