Songs and Carnivals in Venezuela
Hello, readers of @adsactly
Generally the carnivals are celebrated in February or March, and on a Monday and Tuesday. In Venezuela it is normal that these days are decreed by the national government as non-working days throughout the country, so people usually go on these days to the beach or to the comparsas, which run along the main avenues of each city. In past times, the comparsas were parades of floats, dances, music, paper, candy and costumes. However, with the current crisis, the brightness and magnitude of these parades have diminished. In previous times, people used to dress up as their favorite character; also, each street or town in the country chose its queen and filled the squares with noise, where you could play "carnival" with papers, candy and even water. The latter was thrown on top of the people, who normally accepted bathing as part of these festivities.
In recent years, things have changed. The impressive comparsas were forgotten and no one throws candy and papers anymore. What remains is the spirit and music of this era. From January 1st of each year, carnival music begins to play not only on all the country's radio stations but also in all the celebrations that take place from that moment on. Normally, every year a song becomes fashionable, which is listened to over and over again to the point of exhaustion, to then fall into oblivion. However, there are songs that have been saved from the passage of time and are heard every year. Generation after generation hears these songs as unmistakable proof that carnival has arrived and it is time to move the body. Let's look at some of the most famous and heard songs:
St. Martin's Rhythm
This piece of music was first played in the 1980s, but can still be heard at any Carnival celebration. It was so popular on Venezuelan radio that many people hated it, almost like the song Despacito at that time. This song belongs to Fernando Colina and his band Show Panama, who made not only Venezuela but all of Latin America dance to the mix of merengue, calypso and Afro-Antillean rhythms.
Woman from Callao
This is one of the most international songs in this repertoire. The group 4:40 and its vocalist Juan Luis Guerra made it famous by including it in the unforgettable album "Ojalá llueva café" and in merengue rhythm. This song, written by Julio Delgado Prieto and sung for the first time by the Venezuelan group Un solo pueblo in 1976, had already captivated the public in its calypso sound, but it was with the Dominican group that it acquired world fame.
Guayana is
This is one of the most popular calypses in Venezuela. The calypso is one of the most catchy dances heard in the countries of the Caribbean and the Antilles; it has its roots in the first African slaves who arrived on the American continent and who worked on the large sugar cane, coffee and corn plantations. In Venezuela it is heard a lot in the eastern-southern part of the country, especially in Bolivar and Ciudad Guayana. We said earlier that the Carnivals of Callao were one of the most popular in Venezuela and it is precisely there that this type of music is often heard.
The Calypso Wizard
The Calypso Wizard is the quintessential piece of carnival in Venezuela. Created by the Cumanes, Avelino Marquez, it is the most popular piece of carnival in Venezuela. Its rhythm, its chords, can be heard in any corner of the country, being the most sought after piece to set the comparsas and parades to music.
I hope you have a nice carnival and that you have enjoyed these pieces of music. I remind you that you can vote for @adsactly as a witness and join our server in discord. Until the next smile. ;)
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCE
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnaval
http://talentovenezolano.blogspot.com/2007/09/fernando-colina-con-su-san-martn-y-sopa.html
https://elestimulo.com/la-woman-del-callao-cumple-30-anos/
https://www.venezuelatuya.com/musica/calipso_venezolano.htm
Written by: @nancybriti
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Excellent review of the Carnivals in Venezuela, although they are not like before. All that remains is the memory of beautiful times and the music to make these days happy in spite of the sorrows that afflict us in the country. Very good musical selection, it made me forget that I have more than fifteen days without water at home, but it doesn't matter hahaha. Let's move our bodies, it's carnival. A hug, my dear @nancybriti.
Sometimes it is necessary, for our mental health, to give a break from sadness and worry. Sharing with friends and family, going out a bit and listening to music is good for the soul. Greetings and hugs, friend.
Thanks for sharing the culture of my country
Our culture is so rich that it is worthwhile for other countries to get to know it. Greetings, @yonilkar
@nancybriti, In my opinion these kind of Celebrations and Events will going to lift the spirits of Venezuelans once again and will going to inspire people to move forward with strong and passionate mindset. Stay blessed.
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It's always good to read your good wishes, @chireerocks. I hope we can get out of this tunnel. Blessings on you too.
Thank you so much. 🙂
Carnival is one of humanity's oldest festivals; perhaps its most remote western predecessor is the Greek Dionysian festival or the Roman bacchanals. In modern history it has been used for various purposes, beyond its own, that of entertainment; from social protest (as occurred in Venezuela during the Gomez dictatorship), to alienation manipulated by governments, as may be the case today in Venezuela.
Venezuelans have long known how to take advantage of carnivals and their music, which you capture quite well in your publication, is proof of this. Although I'm not in a very festive mood, thanks for your cheerful post, @nancybriti.
Yeah, I guess, @josemalavem. As I said in the previous lines, sometimes it is necessary to rest from the problems, even for a few days, and fill up with energy. Listening to music can be a good way to awaken the optimistic side of us. Greetings and hugs.
I hope these carnivals and traditions will not get lost or forgotten as they are really beautiful. Great post!
Same to you. I hope you don't miss out on these customs. Greetings, @lymepoet.