Cuba Music and AfricanInfluence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cuba Music and AfricanInfluence - Essay Example The basis of Cuban music is the music of African settlements such as Araras, Bantu, Carabaliez and Jorubas. Such settlements have preserved their authentic cultural traditions, despite the fact that they were forced to take a catholic religion. At the same time the religion Santeria had been developing and soon it disseminated through the whole territory of Cuba. This religion depicted the music of Cuba as percussion instruments are a part of religion and its worship ritual. By the 20th century the Santeria element have penetrated deeply in the Cuban pop and folk music, and into the music of other countries such as France, the USA and Jamaica. The native inhabitants of Cuba were Indians that were eradicated by the Spanish colonizers and the Indians music trend â€Å"areito† disappeared as well. Certainly, the emigrants have integrated the peculiarities of their music into the Cuba music. To the famous Cuba composers belong Esteban Salas, Robredo Manuel, and Haspar Villet. â₠¬Å"A brier look into Cuba's unique history will provide us with some insight into these recordings. Cuba's particular cultural heritage is largely the result or two horrendous examples or inhumanity- the annihilation or the indigenous peoples or the island, and the institution or the abominable slave trade which endured for almost 400 years. Spanish colonization began at the end or the 15th century. The Indians or Cuba were exploited, enslaved, murdered and practically extinct within 35 years after colonization began. This explains why there is virtually no Indian in Huence in Cuba's traditional or popular music, unlike the countries or Central and South America, where the Indian heritage has played a major role in cultural development.† (Gills... This essay approves that the double-sided aspect of Cuban music, which consists of the folklore instruments and popular forms of expression as well as more abstract and complex form known as classical music, are typical for Cuban music. Speaking about classical music it is essential to mention that due to reason of the lack of its representation to the masses and the natural complexity, classical music is ignored by all the Cubans. As the music of the people, the culture of which has rich and diverse folklore, Cuban popular music, which was made out of many popular songs and dance music, overshadowed classical music. â€Å"African slaves brought to Cuba their national culture and ritual dances. This report makes a conclusion that having researched the influence of Cuban music by the African melodies, we can make a conclusion that the slaves brought to Cuba by Spaniards had their own culture, which was originated from slavery. They created many melodies and dances and managed to influence the culture of Cuba so deeply and strongly, that new styles of music appeared and became very popular. These styles were brought to other continents and help create popular musical styles. Cuban dances represent an original mix of classical and folk dances, which are unique and deserves attention. Everybody who comes to Cuba is first of all attracted by melodiousness of its inhabitants, which was brought to them by slaves and their own culture created in the oppressive conditions. This testifies that Africans have their own unique and very beautiful culture that was recognized in the whole world.