Los Muñequitos de Matanzas
Encyclopedia
Los Muñequitos de Matanzas is a Cuba
n rumba
and Folkloric group. It has been described by many as one of the most important groups in Cuba.
The group formed under the name "Guaguancó Matancero" in 1952, in Barrio Marina, Matanzas
, Cuba. Among their first recordings was the song "Los muñequitos" (Esteban Lantri) which made reference to comic strips in Cuba. Such was the popularity of this record that the public changed the name of the group to "Los muñequitos" (Cuban term for comic strips, literally "little dolls"). Three generations of the same family are represented in the band. They have also performed with singer Carlos Embale.
Los Muñequitos de Matanzas has been instrumental in the preservation of African traditions such as the secret society of the Abakuá
and the Lukumí belief system (see Santería
), while simultaneously looking to their Spanish heritage for inspiration. The music of Los Muñequitos directly reflects the syncretism
that exists in Cuba as sacred songs to the orisha
s often coexist with more secular themes and adaptations of Spanish songs in a single record or performance. Los Muñequitos received a Grammy Award
Nomination in 2001.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n rumba
Cuban Rumba
In Cuban music, Rumba is a generic term covering a variety of musical rhythms and associated dances. The rumba has its influences in the music brought to Cuba by Africans brought to Cuba as slaves as well as Spanish colonizers...
and Folkloric group. It has been described by many as one of the most important groups in Cuba.
The group formed under the name "Guaguancó Matancero" in 1952, in Barrio Marina, Matanzas
Matanzas
Matanzas is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas. It is famed for its poets, culture, and Afro-Cuban folklore.It is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Matanzas , east of the capital Havana and west of the resort town of Varadero.Matanzas is called the...
, Cuba. Among their first recordings was the song "Los muñequitos" (Esteban Lantri) which made reference to comic strips in Cuba. Such was the popularity of this record that the public changed the name of the group to "Los muñequitos" (Cuban term for comic strips, literally "little dolls"). Three generations of the same family are represented in the band. They have also performed with singer Carlos Embale.
Los Muñequitos de Matanzas has been instrumental in the preservation of African traditions such as the secret society of the Abakuá
Abakuá
Abakua or Abakuá is an Afro-Cuban men's initiatory fraternity, or secret society, which originated from fraternal associations in the Cross River region of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon...
and the Lukumí belief system (see Santería
Santería
Santería is a syncretic religion of West African and Caribbean origin influenced by Roman Catholic Christianity, also known as Regla de Ocha, La Regla Lucumi, or Lukumi. Its liturgical language, a dialect of Yoruba, is also known as Lucumi....
), while simultaneously looking to their Spanish heritage for inspiration. The music of Los Muñequitos directly reflects the syncretism
Syncretism
Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term means "combining", but see below for the origin of the word...
that exists in Cuba as sacred songs to the orisha
Orisha
An Orisha is a spirit or deity that reflects one of the manifestations of Olodumare in the Yoruba spiritual or religious system....
s often coexist with more secular themes and adaptations of Spanish songs in a single record or performance. Los Muñequitos received a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
Nomination in 2001.
Selected discography
- Guaguancó - Con Papin Y Sus Rumberos (Antilla)
- Rumba Abierta (WS Latino 1958, reissued 1999)
- Cantar Maravilloso - Rumba Original (Globestyle 1990)
- Rumba Caliente 88/77 (Qbadisc Records 1992)
- Guaguancó — Vol. 2 (Antilla, reissued 1993)
- Congo Yambumba (Qbadisc Records 1994)
- Oyelos De Nuevo (Qbadisc Records 1994)
- Vacunao (Qbadisc Records 1995)
- Ito Iban Echu: Yoruba Sacred Music of Cuba (Qbadisc Records 1996)
- Live In New York (Qbadisc Records 1998)
- Rumba De Corazón (Bis Music 2002)
- Rumberos de Corazón- 50 Aniversario (Bis Music 2003)
- Tambor De Fuego (Bis Music 2007)
- De Palo Pa' Rumba (Bis Music 2009)