Music is the way people express their lives. Music is among several ways used to show diversity. At heart, music acts are the channel for humans to express themselves and others. It is a platform in which people establish a sense of belonging. The reality can be seen and associated with the emergence of thousands of musical cultures that have evolved in Latin America. Examples of these include the slave who is recalling her ancestral spirits on a faraway continent, the local Aztec warrior who saw his ancient civilization crumble to dust, and the modern youth working hard to earn a living in modern urban ghettos. All these people were able to express themselves freely through their music.
History of Latin America dancing
Long before people came to know about rumba or salsa dance, the ancient people of both South and Central America were developing what is currently known as the Latin dance. These styles of dances were profoundly influenced by the European and the African modes of dancing in both the movements and the music used. The dances had the following characteristics/beginnings in the olden days;
Ritualistic beginning
As early as the 16th century, the explorers and sea-goers like Vespucci who had traveled the globe came back home with stories of the natives who he had seen (Aztec and Inca). He was dazed with the way they were performing intricate dances.
The Aztec had precise dances that were structured and performed. The young people in the society were trained in
Latino students are able to stay connected to the stories that their parents know and their grandparents know. In addition, music is significant because it helps to have the feeling of home and aware of one’s feelings and thoughts. Moreno also explains, "Everything that happens in our society is reflected in music and people don't really stop to think about that. For example, in the last five years, there has been a rise in Narco Corridos coming out of México and that can be attributed to the record levels of violence we so often hear about on television” (6). Thus, through Spanish-language music students in universities are informed of issues currently going on in the world, particularly of places they know very well. They are informed of the hardships that are going around and music has much of a tremendous impact in creating the way people view their culture. Much of Spanish-language music tell of current events or of romanticism. These are crucial in constructing identity. It influences whether students will act upon the current events based on the music or they will be influenced to gather romantic
Hispanic American community are rooted from their origins in Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other Spanish speaking countries that have come together and form a culture in the United State of America. The culture is built in different categories; for instance, religion, social custom, health practices their privacy, and birth. They come from a comprehensive familiar culture that has been called the second in America. Because of their pride and affection they feel unsafe to give up their past. Their notoriety in the United State has been their resistance to assimilate; their guarded image of Hispanic-American culture has been the tongue of flame. However, their remarkable legacy, Hispanics carry from Latin America is not their language, an
Aztec and African are two distinctive cultures with many differences. The two cultures are on different continents that are far away from each other, and there is a wide difference between the two cultures. The beliefs and practices of the people are different in both of these cultures. However, as the world becomes more global, and as people become more exposed to different cultures, the differences between them seem to be narrowing. There are several similarities and differences between Aztec and African, specifically, dance, food and the education system. We live in a world with numerous countries and diversities. Each culture has its own appeal and positives and often times comparing the similarities and differences between these cultures based on a variety of aspects like topography, culture, language, economy, government dynamics. In this essay, I am going to compare the Aztec that are located in Central Mexico and the African culture that is located in all of Africa are two cultures that are studied by many anthropologists.
The ancient Aztec civilization is usually thought of as a barbaric, unintelligent people throughout modern society. This could be an ideal carried down from the Spaniards that concord the native lands or even something as simple as today’s society creating overblown stereotypes because of conjoined lack of understanding and overall knowledge. But, because of the extensive research and studies done by Miguel León-Portilla we are able to discover the true nature of the Aztec peoples way of life. Within the book “Aztec Thought and Culture” the author explains the develop of the Aztec civilization through education and philosophy as well as describing the Aztec people as an advanced society rather than the popular belief of a savage people and culture.
For as long as mankind has walked on this earth, music has been an important part of our culture and lifestyles. Each walk of life beats to a different drum. Different cultures use music for many aspects of their lives; for religious purposes, for celebrations, for comfort, for sorrow, for relaxation, for sports, for dances, for energy, for learning, for sleeping, and for sexual experiences. Everyone uses music for something. Music connects with people and reaches them in ways that words simply cannot. Music is a representation of what feelings sound like. It expresses emotion and brings that characteristic out from within us; it tells us a story. Every generation has its’ own sound and different music styles have emerged and become
As I read Daily Life of The Aztecs on the Eve of the Spanish Conquest, I discovered the Aztecs were a truly amazing society of people. In the book, Jacques Soustelle looks into Aztec culture, religion, education, and technology, just to name a few. He looks across the Valley of Mexico during the early 1500s. These Aztec people can be compared and contrasted with that of people in today’s society.
A common theme to their dances was society’s affinity with the Earth. The most common step in African dancing, which would later become the most basic step in tap dancing, was an example of this symbiotic relationship. In order to stay connected with the power of the Earth, dancers would keep their feet close to the dirt. Flatfootedness created steps that consisted of dragging, gliding, and shuffling step(Knowles). Today’s tap clearly resembles African dance because it often utilizes drags, slides, and
What is the purpose of music in society? Foremost, in layman terms, music is just sounds. However, individuals then use these sounds as a medium in order to spread certain ideas and emotions across society. Naturally over time different types of music become associated with different communities; thus, this identification creates an overgeneralized interpretation of who these communities are and what they stand for. One prime example is the stereotype that jazz and swing was the music of the African Americans in 20th century Los Angeles. Even though it may be true, the stereotype does not give an answer as to why or how jazz and swing became to be known as “black music”. In order to answer these questions, it is imperative to know what conditions
The Aztecs emerged in the thirteenth century, as a nomadic tribe. They were guided by
Some may say music is just music; a song is just a song. However, music plays an enormous role in our psychology, because a single song has the ability to bring about many kinds of thoughts and emotions in the listener. Music is subtly one of the main factors in which people identify with certain groups and establish their belonging in society. It shapes people’s perspectives on how the world functions and the roles they play within it. Music can function the same way in a culture; it can reflect many of the culture’s values and ideologies. Music can have many effects on culture and the people’s idea of who they think they are within that culture. Music can serve in a way that promotes cultural identity and pride, yet it could also play a
Music is a universal understanding of one’s culture. It allows people from all parts of the world to come together to appreciate and love one another for their differences. My mother is Filipino and my father is Mexican. Though both ethnicities are rich in history, I have chosen to specifically focus on the land of my father, Jalisco, Mexico. With lively rhythms, different vocalists, and historical dances, Jalisco’s music comes together to tell a story.
Few early cultures astound us like the Aztecs. Their way of life, and traditions are truly alien to us, and are thus deeply interesting and thought provoking. None other than the Aztecs have amazed us with their home, their incredible engineering skills, and design. However what is truly astounding of the Aztecs is their story, from a wandering society, to a great, powerful empire, to an extinct culture. The Story of the Aztecs is an engaging tale of the conflicts, and aftermath brought down by the European people on an indigenous tribe caught between the Europeans, and their lust for gold.
Dances such as Jazz, Hip-hop, Tap-dancing, Swing dancing, Spanish dances, and much more have been influenced by African dancing. African dancing is the original source of rhythmical dancing, which was derived in Africa. It then follows how slavery somewhat influenced the social dances. Dancing is to move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music. African dancing is just that, but what’s unique about African dancing is that the body parts can be moved in isolation to each other.
Music in the western society is viewed as a separate commodity. Although American music attempts to convey messages and make changes in the society, it is not a highly essential part of their lives. On the other hand, African music is a natural expression of the identity and social values of people in Africa. Music is a cultural activity within the African communities that help people live together and communicate the major values of their social units. It is a tool that explains their existences and adds meaning to their lives.
It is also part of their culture to pass down the dances and music to the next generations so that they can perform it for their culture and then pass it down to their generations to come.