The traditional music of the department of Nariño, located in southwestern Colombia, is a powerful expression of cultural fusion that defines this Andean region, with Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and European influences. This rich musical heritage has been key to the identity of the people of Nariño and is strongly present in celebrations, religious rituals, carnivals, and community gatherings. Far from being just entertainment, music in Nariño serves as a way to tell stories, express resistance, and celebrate the festive spirit of its people.
Traditional musical genres of Nariño, Colombia
Among the most representative musical genres of the department of Nariño are the bambuco sureño, pasillo, sanjuanito, rumba campesina, albazo, yaraví, and rhythms inherited from the Ecuadorian Andean tradition, such as capishca and carnavalito. Each of these genres is performed with a combination of traditional instruments that reflect the region’s cultural fusion.
Bambuco Sureño
The bambuco sureño, characteristic of southern Andean Colombia, is performed with bandola, tiple, guitar, and occasionally Andean flute, and is distinguished by its nostalgic melodies and 6/8 time signature, evoking mountainous landscapes, impossible love stories, and rural life, making it one of the genres most deeply tied to Nariño’s identity.
Pasillo Nariñense
The pasillo nariñense, joyful and elegant, is played by trios composed of guitar, requinto, and tiple, and is sometimes accompanied by violin or bandola, offering a refined and dynamic musical expression often heard in social gatherings, serenades, and festivals, where themes like love, friendship, and natural beauty are celebrated.
Sanjuanito
The sanjuanito, of Indigenous origin and shared with Ecuador’s musical tradition, is known for its fast and repetitive 2/4 rhythm, and is performed with rondadores (Andean panpipes), quenas (Andean flutes), guitars, and drums; it is commonly used in community celebrations and Andean rituals that honor the connection to the land and ancestors.
Rumba Campesina
The rumba campesina, a more festive genre popular in rural areas, uses instruments like the requinto, bombo drum, maracas, and occasionally accordion, and features humorous or playful lyrics that reflect rural daily life, patron saint festivities, and local stories and anecdotes.
Traditional instruments and musical expressions
The music of Nariño would not be the same without its variety of traditional instruments. Most folk ensembles use string, wind, and percussion instruments that showcase the cultural mixture of the region. Among the most representative instruments are:
Guitar: Essential in almost all traditional genres, used for both harmonic and melodic accompaniment.
Requinto: A smaller guitar used for solos, especially in Andean trios.
Cane transverse flute: Used in Indigenous ceremonies and some traditional dances.
Andean bombo and snare drum: Percussion instruments that set the rhythm in community dances.
Traditional music in Nariño is passed down from generation to generation, both within families and through music schools and cultural centers. In recent years, there has been a significant effort to rescue and preserve these expressions through festivals, Andean music competitions, and recordings that capture the region’s ancestral sounds.
Despite globalization and the rise of commercial genres, traditional music in Nariño remains alive. Young musicians have begun blending ancestral rhythms with contemporary sounds such as jazz, pop, or electronic music, creating a new wave of modern folk without losing its essence.
This musical legacy not only represents the soul of Nariño but also serves as a bridge between generations and communities, connecting the past with the present and projecting the region’s future through its rich and enduring soundscape.