The music of Yucatán is the result of a combination of various musical influences, both foreign and own, from which two indigenous styles emerge: the trova and the Yucatecan jarana.
Both musical styles are the product of cultural roots that involve foreign sounds reinterpreted by the people of the community.
In Mexico, it is curious that there are two musical styles within the same region, that is why some people consider the jarana as a mixture that leans more towards music combined with dance.
Since the beginning of the jarana, its main interpreters have been indigenous peoples and mestizo people. And the Yucatecan trova has always been considered to maintain its popularity in the city.
You may also be interested in the culture of Yucatan or its traditions.
The 2 main musical styles of Yucatán
1- Yucatecan Jarana
The Yucatecan jarana is the term that is used for the festivals, dances and the musical style of the region.
In the towns, the festivities are celebrated on certain important dates for the community, such as the dairy farms or the patronal feast. The dance that accompanies it is a kind of joyful stomping with a partner.
The origin of this musical style can be found in several indigenous sonnets, with a pinch of Spanish music.
The jarana is performed by the guilds band or by a jaranera orchestra. Some of the instruments that make it up are the saxophone, the trumpet, the timpani, the bass drum, the güiro, the clarinet and the trombone.
The jaranas do not have text. There are some composers who have incorporated one into the instrumental pieces, but the orchestras in eastern Yucatán never sing them.
Popular jarana composers include Juan Russ, Antonio Yam Hoil, Eleuterio Tec and Isisdro May Han.
At present, the jarana is represented for tourist purposes as it is the heritage of the Yucatecan people.
Although it is true that the number of composers has decreased considerably in recent years, the reproduction of the jaranas has ensured that this tradition is not extinguished like so many others.
2- Yucatecan Trova
The Yucatecan trova is also known as the Yucatecan song. Its origin dates from the 20th century, specifically from 1960 according to various historians.
The trova is commonly used in urban spaces as opposed to in towns, as is the case with the jarana.
In Mérida, the state capital, it is usually the great sensation of events, especially in the main squares.
It is influenced by Andalusian music, some of its instruments such as the six-string guitar were also incorporated.
Another important foreign influence was the impact of the Havana zarzuelas, which determined some of its rhythms and musical forms.
Thanks to the proximity between Havana and Mérida, sounds such as the danzón and Cuban points began to emerge.
There was also an incredible migration of Cuban poets from the middle of the 19th century, who in the same way had a little influence on this musical mix.
Poets wrote about love themes, represented by the song of a man in search of the love of a woman.
It is important to note that the Yucatecan trova was created by poets and not by composers. Some of the most recognized are: Joaquín Acosta, Pastor Cervera, Ricardo Palmerín, Fermín Pastrani, Coqui Navarro, Guty Cárdenas, José Peón Contreras and Pepe Domínguez.
Reference
- Baqueiro, Jerónimo. Aspects of Yucatecan popular music in three centuries. Mexican Musical Magazine, volume IV.
- The jarana of Yucatán (nd). Retrieved on November 3, 2017, from Wikipedia.
- Moseley, Edward and Terry, Edward. (1980). Yucatan. A World Apart. University of Alabama Press. Tuscaloosa.
- Pérez, Guillermo. (1966). Fandango, party and myth. University of Mexico.
- Romero, Jesus. (1944). Music history. Encyclopedia Yucatanense, official edition of the Government of Yucatán.