Zamba
Encyclopedia
Zamba is the national dance of Argentina
. It is a style of Argentine music and Argentine folk dance.
Zamba is very different from its homophone
, the samba
- musically, rhythmically, temperamentally. It is European compared to the Samba, in the steps of the dance and in its costume. It has six beats to the bar and is a majestic dance, performed by couples who circle each other waving white handkerchief
s very elegantly. (It has common elements with the cueca
.)
Zambas are composed about every subject, ranging from those whose lyrics celebrate people or events from Argentine history, to those which describe the beauty of a region, or of its women; there are zambas of political protest and even one called "Aerolíneas Argentinas
". The bombo legüero
drum is prominent in the playing of the zamba.
The dance originated in Peru in the Creole genre known as the zamacueca of Peru
, in 1824 at the same time that Peru
, under José de San Martín, obtained independence. It came to Argentina through "Alto Peru," a region that is modern day Bolivia
and through Chile between 1825 and 1830.
. The steps of the dance are a walking step, an alternate step (two steps at one time), and a tip toe alternate step or "sobrepaso punteado" (three steps at one time). The Zamba also requires a handkerchief.
and always danced in Argentine folklore parties and festivals.It is performed during the national holidays of Argentina
.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. It is a style of Argentine music and Argentine folk dance.
Zamba is very different from its homophone
Homophone
A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning. The words may be spelled the same, such as rose and rose , or differently, such as carat, caret, and carrot, or to, two, and too. Homophones that are spelled the same are also both homographs and homonyms...
, the samba
Samba
Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
- musically, rhythmically, temperamentally. It is European compared to the Samba, in the steps of the dance and in its costume. It has six beats to the bar and is a majestic dance, performed by couples who circle each other waving white handkerchief
Handkerchief
A handkerchief , also called a handkercher or hanky, is a form of a kerchief, typically a hemmed square of thin fabric that can be carried in the pocket or purse, and which is intended for personal hygiene purposes such as wiping one's hands or face, or blowing one's nose...
s very elegantly. (It has common elements with the cueca
Cueca
Cueca is a family of musical styles and associated dances from Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina. In Chile, the cueca holds the status of national dance, where it was officially selected on September 18, 1979.- Origins :...
.)
Zambas are composed about every subject, ranging from those whose lyrics celebrate people or events from Argentine history, to those which describe the beauty of a region, or of its women; there are zambas of political protest and even one called "Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aerolíneas Argentinas , formally Aerolíneas Argentinas S.A., is Argentina's largest airline and serves as the country's flag carrier. Owned in its majority by the Argentine Government, the airline is headquartered in the Torre Bouchard, located in San Nicolás, Buenos Aires...
". The bombo legüero
Bombo legüero
Bombo legüero is an Argentine drum traditionally made of a hollowed tree trunk and covered with cured skins of animals such as goats, cows or sheep. It derives from the old European military drums, and uses a similar arrangement of hoops and leather thongs and loops to tighten the drumheads, which...
drum is prominent in the playing of the zamba.
Name and Origin
The name "zamba" refers to a colonial term for Indian mixed with black. It was a dance of seduction where a man pursues a Zamba girl.The dance originated in Peru in the Creole genre known as the zamacueca of Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, in 1824 at the same time that Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, under José de San Martín, obtained independence. It came to Argentina through "Alto Peru," a region that is modern day Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
and through Chile between 1825 and 1830.
Description
The Zamba is a slow dance in three-quarter time played primarily on guitar and bombo legüeroBombo legüero
Bombo legüero is an Argentine drum traditionally made of a hollowed tree trunk and covered with cured skins of animals such as goats, cows or sheep. It derives from the old European military drums, and uses a similar arrangement of hoops and leather thongs and loops to tighten the drumheads, which...
. The steps of the dance are a walking step, an alternate step (two steps at one time), and a tip toe alternate step or "sobrepaso punteado" (three steps at one time). The Zamba also requires a handkerchief.
Today
Today Zamba is frequently danced in the streets of ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and always danced in Argentine folklore parties and festivals.It is performed during the national holidays of Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
.
External links
- Strum guitar for Zamba (English)
- Boleadora.com