Bailes de las Montañas


The Bailes de las Montañas was the principal musical expression of the Jíbaro, the humble and hardworking mountain people who worked the coffee planations and inland farms of Puerto Rico. In the 17th and 18th century, joyful celebrations in the form of Jíbaro (country) dances typically followed solemn religious ceremonies. These lively celebrations lasted from early afternoon until long into the night, and always ended with a Seis Chorreao, the fastest of all the Seis rhythms. Seis is considered the backbone of Jíbaro music, and has its roots in the musical forms that came to Puerto Rico from Spain during the time of colonization and settlement in the late 17th century. The influence of eight centuries of Moorish domination in Spain, the influence of Arabic culture, can be heard in this music. The cuatro, a stringed instrument unique to Puerto Rico, is the predominant musical instrument heard in the Seis Chorreao. A descendant of the stringed instruments brought to the Island by the Spaniards, the cuatro is one of the most important symbols to the Puerto Rican people of their Jíbaro music.

Today, many Puerto Ricans associate Jíbaro music with Christmas because of the tradition of parrandas, lively holiday parties that stroll from house to house singing joyful aguinaldos (Christmas songs) and begging for pasteles (Puerto Rican tamales) and coquito (Puerto Rican egg nog). But no matter what time of year, anytime Puerto Ricans hear musica Jibara their hearts fill with love for their island and their culture.

References and Suggested Reading


For more information:
Dr. Ana Maria Maynard, Director
Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center
Center Location: 701 Tillery Street, Austin TX 78702-3740
Mailing Address: 15228 Quiet Pond Court, Austin TX 78728-4555
Phone: +1.512.251.8122          Email: dance@prfdance.org          Web: www.prfdance.org