Rhythms of My Roots: A Journey Through Latin Music and Culture

In Hispanic culture, music and dancing unites our family, our friends, and our community. It is what connects us to the traditions of our ancestors. - Marcy B.

Growing up, some of my fondest memories are of family gatherings and celebrations where music and dancing were the heart of the evening. We'd create a circle, cheering and clapping as individuals took turns at the center, their bodies moving freely to the sounds of the stereo. Watching the adults dance in unison, I remember feeling a sense of pure joy. No matter what our moods were, the music was guaranteed to lift our spirits and bring us together.

This blog post is a personal tribute to the rich musical traditions of my heritage. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to share a glimpse into the diverse sounds of Latin culture, each with its own unique history. I hope you enjoy listening to these many flavors of our background as much as I do.

Exploring the Sounds of Our Culture

Music from Mexico

Mexico is home to a variety of traditional music styles. Mariachi is perhaps the most famous, with its iconic groups dressed in elaborate trajes de charro (traditional suits). A typical Mariachi band includes at least two violins, two trumpets, a Spanish guitar, a high-pitched, five-string vihuela, and a bass guitar called a guitarrón. This genre originated in the state of Jalisco, blending Spanish, Indigenous, and African traditions.

From the northern part of Mexico, Norteño music evolved from the polka introduced by German settlers in the 1830s. The accordion is its defining instrument, accompanied by a twelve-string guitar called a bajo sexto, a bass, and drums.

Banda music, originating in the state of Sinaloa, is known for its strong, brass-heavy sound. Its origins trace back to military bands, and its powerful presence is carried by brass instruments, woodwinds, and pounding drums.

Music from the Caribbean

Music from the Caribbean is a vibrant mix of Spanish and African influences, each island creating a unique rhythm and style.

• Cuba: Cuban music has contributed to the development of numerous genres around the world, from Afro-Cuban jazz to salsa. Genres like rumba and son have their roots in this island nation, which has had a profound influence on music in Latin America, West Africa, and Europe.

• Puerto Rico: The traditional style of music and dance known as bomba directly reflects the island's African heritage. The music is powered by two wooden sticks, a large drum played by hand, and a pair of maracas. Another genre, plena, blends African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences. Its traditional sound is created with hand drums called panderos, guitar, and a small guitar called a cuatro.

• Dominican Republic: The national music and dance of the Dominican Republic is merengue. Another popular genre is bachata, a style born from the blues. The instruments used in these styles reflect the island's diverse roots: the güira, a metal cylinder of Taino origin; the yembé, a drum with African roots; and the accordion, influenced by Spanish culture.

Music from Brazil

Samba is a foundational Brazilian music style that developed in the favelas, or slums, of Rio de Janeiro in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its deep roots are traced back to the customs and traditions brought by African slaves, making it a powerful testament to the legacy and rhythm of the Afro-Latino experience.

Music is a living piece of history, a way to connect with our roots and share them with the world. I encourage you to share this post with your family and friends, or even with children in classrooms, to introduce them to the rich sounds and stories of Hispanic culture.

Below is a photo of me, Marcy Baez (born into a Dominican and Puerto Rican family), dancing at my baptism.

A young Marcy dances at her baptism on February 23, 1980, in New York City.