Galician rumba

The characteristics of that new genre are similar to those of the new song-dances that appeared in the Caribbean Basin area during the 19th century, which were the result of a combination of Iberian and African elements.

With the exception of the processional pieces that Don Xoán used to play; sometime in the mass and other times walking behind the “Saint” in the procession, the rest was mainly for the people to dance in the fests and romerías.

The introduction of the rumba in Galicia is closely related to the creation, during the first half of the 20th century, of musical groups called “charangas” o “murgas”.

We can point out, among others, a version of the “Rumba dos cinco marinheiros” by the renowned group Muxicas.,[6] where we can perceive the well known “clave cubana” rhythm in the instrumental background.

We should also mention a recording of the same piece by the bagpiper Carlos Núñez Muñoz and the legendary Irish group “The Chieftains,” accompanied by an autochthonous Cuban musical ensemble.