Colombia is known for being one of the richest countries in the world for its music and its many dances. His musical style comes from various influences, whether indigenous, Creole or African.

Music, an integral part of Colombian culture, occupies a privileged place in the social life of Colombians. Indeed, it is a town that attaches great importance to festive life. There is no day to celebrate, be it Monday, Tuesday or Saturday, Colombians always have a good reason to go out.

The music is thus in the image and likeness of the country: warm and cheerful like its inhabitants and diverse like its magnificent landscapes.

If you want to learn to dance, Colombia is for you. You will be able to take dance classes, especially in Nueva Lengua and put your learning into practice during various wild parties!

Each region has its own dances and rhythms, with salsa and vallenato being the two most popular musical genres in the country.

We can distinguish the styles of Colombian music in four large regions. Thus you will find in particular hot rhythms of Cumbia, Vellenato and Merengué on the Caribbean coast, captivating melodies of Salsa and Currulao on the Pacific coast, rhythms of Bambuco, Guabina and Cananga in the Andean region or even musical styles such as Joropo in the eastern plains (Orinoco and Amazonia).

Cumbia is the most representative because it is considered abroad as the quintessential Colombian music. It mixes indigenous melodies with African rhythms and is played with instruments such as the typical bagpipe of the Caribbean region or various percussions such as maracas, drums and guachacara. The Vellenato, on the other hand, is danced in pairs and is instrumentalized by the accordion and the guachacara. Salsa, whose world capital is Cali, is the most practiced and widespread dance in the country.

The most used musical instruments to accompany these different dances are mainly the drums, of African influence, as well as the harp and the cuatro (small guitar with strings) of European origin.

As you may have understood, music and dance play a leading role in the preservation of the heritage and popular culture of Colombia. This is particularly notable for the organization of many festivals that take place every year in all regions, such as the famous and folkloric Carnival of Barranquilla.

Below is a small selection of Colombian tunes, ranging from Pacific rap to Caribbean coast salsa and vellenato:

This article was originally written in French