Afroperuvian instruments and rhythms (Extended Black Atlantic folklore)


A special post to discover various instruments and rhythms from the afroperuvian musical environment. Afro culture in Peru is direct consequence to slavery of various african ethnic groups brought until 1850. A kind of "identidad costena" (coastal identity) has been developed by the black people and afrodescendientes on the pacific coast, culturally totally different from interior's andean mountains (in some aspects, this regional specificity that can remind La Cuesta in Colombia).

A variety of rhythms and dances appeared (from lando to festejo), based on diverse percussions, voices, hand claps. One characteristic instrument is the cajon, an open wood case (the musician plays sat on it). It is used in Peru since the 19th century and has been more recently associated with flamenco-jazz.
A general particularity is the introduction of guitar (which makes a significant difference with afrocolombian early musical expressions), and which allows huge melodic possibilities.




Cajon (open wood case)
Cajita (small wood box with a stick, and a lid to modulate the sound opening and closing the box):
Quijada (inferior jaw from a cow or horse, the sound coming from the teeth vibrations)
Guiro (calabash with parallel grooves)
Carrasca (quijada used with a stick)
Guitarra (guitar)
Palmas (hand claps)
Tablitas (kind of castanets)





... and a big variety of drums:


Ref: N. Santacruz Socabon liner notes.