Culoepuya

There are six basic strokes: Culo'e Puya drums are typical of the Barlovento region of North-central Venezuela.

John the Baptist (June 24) as part of the Redondo ensemble, which also includes one or two maracas, voice and hand claps.

Each town in Barlovento has a unique way of interpreting the basic pattern and adds its own local variation, but in general, the prima carries the base of the rhythm and it is played on the upbeats, while the pujao improvises and the cruzao marks the downbeats.

The pujao improvisations are centered on a set pattern, but they can achieve an impressive degree of variety when the percussionist is able to tune the drum while performing.

The Barlovento towns of Curiepe, Tacarigüita, La Boca and Mendoza still maintain the tradition of the Culo'e Puya, but their sound and unique rhythm has influenced the rest of the native forms of Venezuelan music.