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European
music
The high social groups of European descent have their
own popular European music. The most important music that
has obtained its own variant here is the Viennese waltz
and the Polish mazurka.
The Antillean waltz has a more rhythmic and lively sound.
At parties the kai orgel is played; it is a small street
organ. The wiri plays popular songs on the street organ.
It is a ridged metal tuba that gives extra rhythm to the
music. |
 The
Tumba
Carnival is a popular festivity of the people of Curaçao.
During this season almost the entire nation is on its
feet. Months before the local people prepare for carnival,
which usually takes place in February. Costumes are made
and tried on, wagons are painted and music is composed.
The highlight of the season is the road march through
the streets of Otrobanda at the end of February and the
beginning of March. The tumba is the type of music played
in carnival. It is heard and danced upon during the road
march. Every year a huge tumba festival is organised involving
lots of participants. Out of the many tumbas one is chosen
to be played during the road march. The tumba is influenced
by Latin American and Afro Caribbean culture. It is an
intensive piece of song. The theme of the song is funny
and the words usually have a double meaning. |
 Contemporary
music
Curaçao consists of a multi-ethnic culture and
this is manifested in the popular music styles: you can
dance to the reggae from Jamaica, the calypso from Trinidad,
the Mexican mariachi, the soca from the Windward Islands,
the merengue and the salsa. The Antillean salsa is also
very popular in Curaçao. Most of the large local
bands play this type of music. At parties people dance
until late at night when this stirring tune is played.
Of course you can also listen to American and European
hits. On the local radio stations all modern music styles
can be heard, including jazz, rhythm and blues, and house.
The Brazilian batucada bands inspire the composer of brass
band music. These bands are formed out of different types
of percussion and brass instruments.
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