Grupo Cimarrón perform "Y soy llanero"

The lively sounds of traditional joropo music can be found throughout the plains of Colombia and Venezuela. Created by ranching people with a love of cattle, horses, music, and dance, the joropo's driving rhythm and percussive stringed instrument sound draw from centuries-old Spanish, African, and New World musical traditions that contributed to the region's unique mestizo (mixed) culture. The music reflects the pride the plains people have in their history and culture. Here, Grupo Cimarrón, a "supergroup" of Colombia's finest joropo musicians, perform "Y soy llanero" (And I Am a Plainsman), a song that extols and romanticizes the plains and its cattle ranchers. It is from their GRAMMY-nominated CD, Sí, Soy Llanero, available at www.smithsonianglobalsound.org.