Joropo

Joropo is a popular dance and music style (also Música Llanera) of the Llanos, a region of Venezuela and Colombia.

The Joropo originated about 300 years ago in Venezuela and Colombia. In Venezuela, there are four main directions of the Joropo: Central, Guayanés, Mirandino and Oriental from the regions in the center, south-west and north- west of the country. The individual components of Joropo can be attributed to the nomads in the desert, the rhythmic instruments of the natives of Venezuela ( maracas ), to Baroque Spanish music, Bach, Soler, flamenco and African rhythms. All in all there are 58 variations of the Joropo, depending on the changing rhythms (3/ 4, 6 /8), the instruments used, the presence of a singer and speed. The music is usually played by peasants ( Llaneros ) in their dances and parties, but during the last 25 years, they conquered the cities where composers were fascinated by the contrast " raw energy " and complex musical structure. The Joropo based on oral traditions of the indigenous population.