Nengón Popular – Dance
Nengón is an old peasant form of son from eastern Cuba, rooted in Baracoa (Guantánamo) and with its own variant in the Cauto, the nengón del Cauto. Together with kiribá it is considered a forerunner of changüí and son.
Origin
- Baracoa: according to EcuRed, nengón is rooted in the El Cuero neighbourhood, on the southern slope of the Imías mountain, in the Baracoa region. Together with kiribá it belongs to the traditional peasant festivities there.
- The wars of independence: nengón is first mentioned in 1898. Peasants of Spanish and creole descent played it; at their parties they warned the mambises when Spanish troops left the town, and mocked the Spanish soldiers with teasing verses. In the camp of the reconcentrados nengón was banned.
- The Cauto: in the 20th century families of cattle farmers kept the nengón del Cauto alive, especially the Machado family; Ángel Machado formed a group in 1933.
Music and dance
- Instruments: in 1898 a home-made tres, maracas, the tumbandera (an earth bow) and the bunga drum, with a first, second and third voice. Later tres, guitar, bongó, marímbula and maracas.
- Lead singer and chorus: like kiribá, simpler than changüí and son, with rural lyrics alternating between lead singer and chorus.
- The dance in the Cauto: the steps depict the herdsman's work, such as horse riding, lassoing a cow and "stealing the bride"; it was danced wearing spurs and leggings.
Still alive
The group Kiribá y Nengón in El Güirito near Baracoa keeps nengón alive, as do families in the Cauto. See also Kiribá and Changüí.
📝 Sources