Cool Stuff 2: Music from South America

     We have learned about multiple cultures and their music practices. This week however we have been studying and learning about South American music - particularly in the Andes Mountains. I'd like to do a broader study of the South American culture and music though so I have chosen to further study Argentina. I chose this country, honestly just because that is where Lionel Messi is from, he's a very well known soccer player for Barcelona. 

My first question is... What are some traditional Argentinian foods? 

1. Barbeque or "parrillada": grilled meats. This is the most common "main course" style meal. It is the national dish and originally eaten by cowboys. This style of food is expected to be seen around every corner. 

2. Provoleta: Literally grilled cheese with seasonings. It is crispy on the outside with gooey cheese on the inside. 

3. Empanada: Pastry stuffed with beef, goat cheese, chicken, or veggies. These also come in a dessert form, where they are stuffed with jams and other sweet fillings. It is said that the working class really enjoys this meal or dessert because it is quick, easy, and portable. 

4.Dulce De Leche: sweetened milk "jam". There is an abundance of cows in Argentina, so dairy products are quite frequently used in numerous recipes. 

I really enjoyed researching these foods, among many more that are popular within Argentinian culture. I would love to try some of these! They all sound very good. This information was gathered from bbcgoodfood.com.

What are some traditional folk music pieces in Argentina? 

    The tango is the most popularly known music in Argentina. The tango originally developed in Argentina but there are roots of it in Spain, Africa, and Cuba. Originally the Tango was played by stringed instruments such as a guitar, a guitar duo as well as a violin, flute, and bandoneons. This traditional style band would be called an "orchestra tipica". Later, more modern covers of Tango Music were played using a piano, and sometimes even words were added into the song. The Tango has influenced the culture of Argentina greatly. 

This information was found at folkcloud.com

What kind of influence is the music of  Argentina under?

    There were many influences on the music of Argentina in the earlier days, as there was lots of colonization in the early days by many European countries. The most modern influences, however, were Los Chalchaleros, Los Fronterizos, and the Abalos brothers. These well-known groups/artists then began taping their music for all to enjoy. The music became popular in many parts of the world so people began hosting folk music festivals. The most known venue for these folklore festivals is the Cosquin National Folklore Festival, not only does this festive include Argentine music, but also music from Asia, and other neighboring countries. Though folk music, is of the popular culture in Argentina, there are also discrepancies of the music depending on the region that you are visiting as far as a music culture goes! This is because of the previous colonization by different countries in the area, as the music was created, their culture further influenced the music. 

This information was gathered from: Wikipedia