by zaragemca » Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:44 pm
Welcome Raymond to this debate in relation to the percussion in Cuba's music,In reality the congas was incorporated in Cuba since mid 1800's for the festivities of 'El dia de reyes' which is the grandfather of the Carnivals,also some musicians were trying to incorporate it in the Orchestras,but the middle and hight class establishment in Cuba were opposed to it considering it, too african,(to black),to represent the cuban music,(a historical mistake).At one point during the goverment of Gerardo Machado,(1930's),all type of drumming was prohibited,(even in private practice),the Timbales was ok,becouse it was comming from european ancestry.It took a national riot, the closing of schools,etc., to kick Machado,out of the government,and after that the percussion was back in to the cuban music,and everything was continued.(I wasn't going to said this but, there is a detail that not even people in Cuba knows about it).In one of the Yorubas festivities they were playing with Gourd and Chekeres, (according to my ancestors), when some Orichas showed it in the middle of it, they asked why there were not drums,the people there told that it was prohibitted and said who was responsible for the prohibition and the Orichas said, that the drums were going to come back,,,,and they did to come back. Dr.Zaragemca
Edited By zaragemca on 1138120019
International Club of Percussionists