Changüí is a style of
Cuban music which originated in the early 19th century in the eastern region of
Guantánamo Province, specifically Baracoa. It arose in the
sugar cane refineries and in the rural communities populated by slaves.
Changüí combines the structure and elements of
Spain's canción and the Spanish
guitar with
African rhythms and
percussion instruments of
Bantu origin. Changüí is considered a predecessor of son montuno (the ancestor of modern
salsa), which has enjoyed tremendous popularity in Cuba throughout the 20th century.
Changüí is related to the other regional genres of nengón and kiribá and is descended from nengón.[1] Technically, the changüi ensemble consists of:
marímbula,
bongos,
tres,
güiro (or guayo) and one or more singers.[2] Changüi does not use the Cuban key pattern (or guide pattern) known as
clave.[3] The tres typically plays offbeat
guajeos (
ostinatos), while the
guayo plays on the
beat.
Gallery
Grupo Changüí de Guantánamo at the National Folk Festival in Havana, 1962.
The Afro-Cuban marímbula, the "bass" used in changüí.
Changüí offbeat guajeo written in cut-time.[4] (Playⓘ)