Cultural Values

Music

In Corrientes people are naturally musical and, although they are unable to read or write music, they still manage to compose and play by ear. Here, the notes are "motivos" that are repeated and combined by the "compuestero" (composer) to create melodies of what we now call chamamé.

The characteristic melodies of this area were created from the slow mixing up of music played during the religious ceremonies of the Guarani people “rezar bailando” (pray while dancing) and the ones introduced by the Jesuits “rezar cantando” (pray while singing). From the thirty Jesuits towns, the town of Yapeyú stood out because of its choir and its talented musicians, many of whom took their instruments and their talent to other parts of the territory of Corrientes after the missionaries were expelled.

Chamamé was born in rural areas and spread from there to towns and cities, which is the opposite of what usually happens. The relationship of this music dance with nature is straightforward as, still today, these dances usually take place outdoors, protected by an "enramada". Nature is a source of inspiration for musicians too, not only for the melodies but also for the lyrics. Proof of this is the myriad of topics related to the landscape or the Iberá culture as seen in "Cañada Fragosa", “Yo voy Mariscando", "Yarará" "Valdez Carpinchero", “El Jaguarete" or even the "Chamamé of the Esteros" by Mario Bofill.