The music and dance that originated from the Caribbean coast of Colombia include:
- Cumbia: This is considered the quintessential Colombian rhythm, originating from a blend of African courtship rituals, Indigenous melodic flutes (gaitas), and Spanish lyrical structures. The dance features women in flowing skirts called polleras and men with more energetic movements, reflecting cultural fusion.
- Champeta: Developed in the early 1980s from earlier styles in Palenque de San Basilio, champeta shows influences from African colonial settlements and contemporary African culture. It is marked by strong rhythmic music easy to dance to, with instruments like electric guitar, bass, percussion, and synths.
- Porro: A festive big-band sound with strong brass and percussion, porro is especially from the Córdoba, Sucre, and Bolívar departments. It has lively rhythms for couples' dancing and is part of important regional festivals.
- Mapalé: An energetic Afro-Colombian dance characterized by convulsive, fish-like movements, reflecting African heritage of the coast.
These genres reflect the rich cultural fusion of Indigenous, African, and European influences unique to Colombia's Caribbean coast.
In summary, Cumbia, Champeta, Porro, and Mapalé are key music and dance forms born on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
