group #1: By Diamond Renderos, Michelle Solano Diaz, Marisela Zempoalteca, and Mariel Hernandez.
What we have learned presented by Michelle S.
We learned about the suffering and drastic conditions slaves have undertaken in history. Though for Africans in the 17th century, they used their pain and anger and transformed them into a music style that would remain a historic tradition in Puerto Rico. Bomba was introduced when slaves were brought to Puerto Rico. Because they came from different tribes and spoke differently, through music, they were able to communicate and express themselves. The use of Bomba was made primarily to express their suffering and use it as rebellions. This music also moved them to dance by the sound of the drum soon creating a community of people with the love for music. Plena was extended off of Bomba during the 20th century where stories were conveyed in songs. Lyrics have been composed out of political movements, events and history. Plena was considered as a “newspaper of the people,” showing how people would form a crowd to listen to the hand drums and use creativity through dancing.FUN FACT: The “bomba” dance and the songs are improvised and influenced by both African and French cultures. Historians states women used to dance, like “lero”, ( the French interpretation of a rose) forming a circle somewhat shaped of a rose.
Further understanding of La Bomba Y Plena *Presented by Marisela Z.
This image shows the kids in the back playing the Bomba drums and making rhythms. They all seem to be very happy since this is a musical tradition that they have been doing for a long time.The Bomba and Plena has been going on since the 17th century which was during the early colonial period.The woman in the right is all dressed up and ready to dance along to the music. The style in which they dress is also very traditional as it shows their identities and culture.
This Video just briefly explains what Puerto Rico’s Bomba is. It also talks about its history, culture and dance moves which help the reader get a better understanding of what to expect about the Bomba.
This video also further explains the different rhythms that you could make with the drums and it also talks a bit about the dance.
Inspiration from La Bomba Y la Plena Presented by Diamond R.
This video comprises of many interviews with Bomba and Plena specialist. One interview is with Luis Colón, a “Bomba Brava”. When talking about La Bomba, Colón talks about how la Bomba runs in the blood of Puerto Ricans and is something they need in order to be alive. Because of this Colón writes Bomba music in order to pass/carry on the feeling the Bomba gives to the society, the strong resilience Puerto Ricans have from their African ancestors. Just like Puerto Ricans carry the pain/what their ancestors endured with the playing of the drum/dancing of the Bomba, they use it to carry their present pain/problems as well. In Colón’s song “revolution” one of the lyrics is “revolution of the heart, the Bomba inspires my singing, and claims revolution”.
A Poem About la Bomba Y Plena by Diamond Renderos
The percussion sounds
Gives rhythm and soul to dance
The swaying of skirts
The pain in the voice
The lyrics tell a story
The Africanos
The bomba moved them
To dance and to celebrate
A community
The strong ancestors
Who sang and dance to rebel
We now dance for you
Colonization VS. La Bomba y Plena presented by Mariel H.
Colonization has impacted the Latin American cultures, such as by bringing a new religion or affecting our identities. One way it came to show an impact was through music. When European colonies in Puerto Rico brought in enslaved African, the Europeans also brought their culture in too. African musical traditions influenced Puerto Rico and Bomba emerged. However, Music isn’t just sound being formed to please one of your senses. Bomba “was a source of political and spiritual expression,” which conveyed their emotions based on the situation they were in, and it was used as a “catalyst for rebellions and uprisings” (Smithsonian Institution). This shows that Puerto Ricans used the Music to unite their communities and fight together for their freedom. Now Bomba is danced to and celebrated, creating an identity. Plena Emerged from Bomba. Plena used different instrumentation and the lyrics tell narratives based on events or topics.This is very similar to a style of music called Corridos in Mexico. Unlike Bomba, Corridosaren’t danced to, however, many of the songs tell stories about topics important or controversial too. Bomba and Plena is proof of their strength because both styles of music are now a part of their culture and identity. Overall, Latin countries are very resilient as they use music as a way to help cope with their situations and unite together to fight for their prosperity.The picture with an entirely almost white dress shows a traditional dress used when dancing la Bamba. As we can see the dresses in each picture are very similar and they are also held in a similar fashion. However, the colors on the dress are each different. The picture with a blue, white, and yellow dress is a traditional Ecuadorian dress and the one that is almost entirely red is a traditional Mexican dress. This demonstrates how the styles diffused across Latin countries. All these dresses are also used during traditional dances.
