While the majority of the group are Uruguayans and descendants of those born in Uruguay, we also have people from other parts of South America and other parts of the world.
Influences
Who is Candombe Yauguru?
Our group came together in 1997 as a request from a charity organization to perform at a fundraising festival to help hospitals in Uruguay. With very little rehearsal, but a lot of enthusiasm and passion for music, we entertained a delighted crowd at Fairfield Showground. Ever since that day, the group gets together twice a week to rehearse and learn this beautiful music.
From the very beginning we have participated in community events and have represented Uruguayan culture in various events around Sydney.
We aim to continue to learn, maintain, enjoy, live and share our culture.
What is Candombe?
Candombe is a rhythm that travelled from Africa to Uruguay with the Negro slaves taken to South America over 200 years ago. The rhythm was adapted into el candombe, a typically Uruguayan dance and a form of artistic expression not shared by any other country. It has been an important part of Uruguayan culture ever since.
When the slaves first arrived in Uruguay, the drums or el tambores were created using cow, donkey or horsehide and coffee or tea barrels, since the traditional African materials were unavailable.
The rhythm is created by the use of three drums: piano, chico and repique. Together these three drums are called a Cuerda. The largest drum, tambor piano, keeps the rhythmic base. Tambor chico is the small drum played with a drumstick, which plays the rhythmic pendulum. Tambor repique is the tall thin drum that embellishes the rhythm with improvised phrases.
A traditional Candombe group (Comparsa) consists of the following dancing characteristics: Lubolo, a white man with face paint who plays the drums; Mama vieja, the matriach of the tribe; Gramillero, a medicine man responsible for the wellbeing of the people; and Escobero, who dances with a stick. All of these personalities have unique appearances and different ways of dancing.
The young female dancers seen with the drummers today are modern additions to Candombe groups, representing youth, hope and joy. Vedette is another addition who dances near the drums in a colourful and unique costume.
Albertini, encontre unas fotos d tambores by the fire that would make an awesome background, mandame tu email asi te las envio. Nos vemos luego, besos!
A merry chrismas to everyone from Raulito Noe Jayda Tamiya,thank you for a great year, and a great night! keep safe over the chrismas holidays!! see ya in 08!............
well done to everyone for a night que rompimos todo, (just like old times!!) a merry xmas to everyone in tha group, and looking forward to another year candombiando!!!, vamo arriba el candombe!!
