Música de Palos, a first approach
Warming up the Palos drums.
There is a plethora of Afro-Dominican cultural expressions to explore. If we take the example of music, almost all Dominican rhythms carry the influence of our rich African cultural heritage. This link is most recognizable – and also more documented – with the Música de Palos. Prohibited during centuries by the religious elites, who considered it as barbaric practices, today the interpretation and dance of Palos is recognized as an integral part of our culture.
Tracing the history and development of Palos music is still an incomplete task. Its history dates back to the social and cultural development of the Dominican Republic during the early years of its colonial era. At some point in the 16th century, native tainos and black slaves escaped to the mountains, to survive the hardships of colonization. In the communities they formed, they began to exchange and to create new sounds. In time, these rhythms became the expression of a religious syncretism.
Palos are, mainly, a Dominican ritual manifestation that is practiced all year long. It is deeply associated with the festivities in honor of Catholic Saints, although it can also be performed in other celebrations, such as funeral arrangements.
Despite specific regional differences, the music is usually played using 3 drums called Palo Mayor, Chivita or Respondón and Alcahuete which are accompanied by a Dominican guiro. All drums are made from dried hollow tree trunks and cowhide is used for the drumhead. The Palo Mayor drum is placed in the middle and it has a lower pitch. The other two serve more as accompaniments and together they play polyrhythmic patterns. Other instruments like tambourines and maracas may be added depending on the region. In general, the dance is performed between couples that don’t touch and that turn around a specific point. Dance moves vary according to the locality. The songs abundantly speak about rural life and religious themes.
In their book La música folklórica dominicana, ethnomusicologists Josué Santana and Edis Sánches state that “for their owners, the Palos drums are sacred and are even baptized before they are used in performances. They are of utmost importance in all the ceremonies they participate in… Also, they act as conductors of these gatherings, bringing them to climax and defining every important moment in them”.
We invite you to discover Palos music with this selection of a recently published album, Fiesta de Palos.
