Afro-Hispanic Colombia / Various

by Various Artists

The Pacific Lowlands -the coastal regions of Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador -experienced a mingling of African and Hispanic cultures after Spanish conquest in the 16th century. This cultural blending is exemplified in Afro-Hispanic Music from Western Colombia and Ecuador, in which denizens of the tropical Lowlands perform pieces such as the Currulao (marimba dance) and Arrullo (spiritual). The music reflects realities of life in this hot, rainy climate, where men move away from their families in search of work and children especially die from malaria and dysentery. Liner notes include a description of Lowlands culture and the dances that accompany each piece. One of the Bambuco tracks also appears as "Adies, Bereji" on the compilation CD Raices Latinas: Smithsonian Folkways Latino Roots Collection (SFW40470, 2002).