Oriente - place

Oriente, the eastern region of Cuba, is the cradle of vibrant music and dance traditions like Son, Changüí, Nengón, and Kiribá, which shaped the roots of Cuban and Latin music.

1. Son Cubano ( Son Tradicional)

• Music: The most iconic style from Oriente, blending Spanish guitar traditions with African rhythms.
• Dance: Couples dance with fluid hip movements, close connection, and playful improvisation.
• Origin: Santiago de Cuba.
• Legacy: Foundation of salsa and many modern Cuban genres.

2. Changüí

• Music: Precursor to son cubano. Features the tres cubano, marímbula (a bass lamellophone), bongos, and maracas.
• Dance: Couples dance with small, syncopated steps, reflecting the music’s lively rhythm.
• Origin: Guantánamo (early 19th century).

3. Nengón

• Music: Considered even older than changüí, with simpler patterns and rustic instrumentation.
• Dance: Circular group dance where couples step to the rhythm in a communal style.
• Origin: Rural eastern Cuba, especially Baracoa.

4. Kiribá

• Music: Rare, folkloric style closely related to changüí and nengón, performed with tres and percussion.
• Dance: Community dance, often seen in traditional festivals.
• Origin: Guantánamo region.

5. Bembé (Afro-Cuban Ritual Music)

• Music: Yoruba-rooted drumming and singing, often connected with religious ceremonies.
• Dance: Spiritual and trance-like, used in Afro-Cuban ritual contexts.
• Origin: Brought by enslaved Africans to Oriente’s plantations.

✅ Summary

Oriente gave the world:

• Son Cubano → the foundation of salsa.
• Changüí, Nengón, and Kiribá → early rural traditions that shaped Cuban popular music.
• Bembé → Afro-Cuban spiritual music and dance.