Bomba and plena are percussion-driven musical traditions from Puerto Rico that move people to dance. Often mentioned together as though they were a single musical style, both reflect the African heritage of Puerto Rico, but there are basic distinctions between them in rhythm, instrumentation, and lyrics.

What is the difference between bomba and plena?

A Grammy-winning producer with expertise in the Latin Tropical scene, Levinson describes the production of a bomba beat, which incorporates two drums, a maraca and a highly syncopated 5/8 rhythm. On the other hand, for plena, a trio sings in harmony with folkloric hand drums called the panderetas.

What does plena mean in Puerto Rico?

noun. US. In Puerto Rican culture: a traditional style of singing and dancing showing African influences and characterized by a highly syncopated rhythm and often satirical lyrics, the rhythm of the vocal lines frequently contrasting with that of the accompaniment.

What is Bomba puertorriquena?

Abstract. Bomba is an emblematic Puerto Rican musical genre that emerged 400 years ago from the colonial plantations where West African enslaved people and their descendants worked. It remains one of the most popular forms of folk music on the island and serves as significant evidence of its rich African heritage.

Where does the dance plena come from?

Plena is a genre of music and dance native to Puerto Rico.

What is bomba dancing?

La Bomba is a traditional dance form on the island of Puerto Rico. 8 The instrumentation of Bomba usually consists of one large drum, a buleador, and a maraca used by the main singer. The lyrics, which are comedic, satirical, and sometimes sensual, are sung in a call and response fashion.

What is the purpose of plena?

Plena is a musical genre that not only reminds Puerto Ricans of their culture and heritage, but also serves as a medium for catalyzing progressive social change. The cultural background of plena has origins from at least the 20th century and possibly the late 19th century (Bailyn 2016).

Who created plena?

During the 1980s, Eddie Olivo (the founder) and his brother Pepe Olivo, the greatest quinto pandero (hand drum player) in his class, inspired me to get into this music. I went to a lot of their shows, and during that time they were the hottest plena band in Puerto Rico.

What does pleb stand for?

A pleb, short for plebeian, is a person who is considered too ordinary or a thing deemed commonplace (e.g., basic and normie).

How is bomba danced?

Bomba is an improvisational style of dance that typically begins with a solo dancer stepping forward, as a group of percussionists (including drummers and maraca-players) accompanies their movements.

What is bomba dance a symbol of?

Like other Afro-Caribbean cultural forms, bomba provided a source of political and spiritual expression for people who’d been forcibly uprooted from their homes, at times catalyzing rebellions.

Where can I see bomba Puerto Rico?

Undoubtedly, the best place to experience bomba dancing in Puerto Rico is the town of Loíza. The cozy seaside community lies at the northeast corner of Puerto Rico.

When did plena originate?

Plena developed from bomba music around the beginning of the 20th century in southern Puerto Rico. Plena lyrics are narrative. They convey a story about events, address topical themes, often comment on political protest movements, and offer satirical commentaries.

What is the meaning of bomba?

1: a traditional Puerto Rican drum consisting of a barrel with a goatskin head. 2: a genre of Puerto Rican dance accompanied by drums and other percussion also: a song sung by a soloist and chorus to accompany a bomba.

Who wears the Bomba dress?

The Bomba and the Plena are important musical traditions in Puerto Rico. The Bomba and the Plena are two different music styles; however, it is common to refer to it together because of the similarities they share. The Bomba is of African origin and came to Puerto Rico with the introduction of African Slaves.