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Cuba - Culture By Ekaterina Zhdanova-Redman
Think about music. What kind of music is your favorite? Do you like popular music? What about rock? Or country? Why do you like it? Some people listen to music for the words. Some people listen for a good melody. And some people listen to music for a good, strong beat. Do you like music with a strong beat? Many people like music they can dance to. Do you like to dance? 1
There is a country in the Caribbean where dance is very important. This country is full of great music -- powerful, rhythmic music -- that is wonderful for dancing. This country is called Cuba, and dance there is like no other country in the world. In fact, people all over the world try to imitate Cuban music and dances. 2
So how did this island in the Caribbean get to be such a great place for dance and music? There are many explanations, but all require knowledge of Cuba's history. A few hundred years ago, Spanish explorers settled in Cuba. They brought their culture with them, including their music and musical instruments. Later, the British came and brought with them slaves from Africa. Like the Spanish, these slaves brought their culture with them. Add all that to the native culture in Cuba, and unusually wonderful music, dance, and culture come out of it. 3
How important is music to you? To many people in Cuba, it is a critical part of life. One Afro-Caribbean religion called Santeria uses music as part of religious ceremonies. Some believe that music is the only way to communicate with dead ancestors. 4
In Cuba, some popular music and dance styles include the son, rumba, mambo, and salsa. All these music styles are very rhythmic. Lots of percussion instruments are used. What is a percussion instrument? If you guessed a drum, you'd be only partly right. A percussion instrument uses the sound of two things hitting together. This can include drums, maracas, guiro, cowbell, and claves (pronounced klah-vays). All these instruments are very important to Cuban music. 5
Each musical style came from a different part of Cuba. Son developed in eastern, rural areas, while musica guajira ("peasant's music") developed in the west. No matter where they came from, most Cuban music has the same Afro-Caribbean roots. Cuban dance styles are spectacular. From the salsa to the rumba, Cuban dance is romantic, beautiful, and very athletic. 6
Many dance styles that are popular around the world are based on Cuban dance styles. As many of these styles developed in the early 20th century, many visitors to Cuba were 7
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very impressed. They thought the dancing was so impressive, they took the dances home with them. Few countries have influenced modern dance the way Cuba has. Although Cuba is a small, poor country, its culture is amazing. Its music and dance has changed the popular music you hear and the way many dancers dance today. Without Cuban culture, party music and dance wouldn't be the same! 8
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Name _____________________________
Date ___________________
Cuba - Culture 1. Cuba's dance isn't very popular outside
of Cuba. False True 3. Which of the following isn't a Cuban
music form? Rumba Salsa Son Jazz 5. Cuban music is very percussive.
False True
7. What is musica guajira?
Ocean music Music without words Peasants' music A percussion instrument
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2. A percussion instrument is ______.
Strummed Blown into Plucked Hit 4. "Afro" in Afro-Caribbean means what?
From the sea From Afghanistan From Africa From America 6. Which of the following is not a
percussion instrument? Trumpet Drum Maracas Claves 8. Cuban music has been influenced by
African slaves. False True
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Cuba - Culture - Answer Key 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
False Hit Jazz From Africa True Trumpet Peasants' music True
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