berta rojas

I may be generalizing, but Paraguayans are seriously gifted in music. (Those of you who've heard Marangatu's praise team know what I mean!) Like local guitarist Berta Rojas -- her biography is impressive, and her music even more so.

"La Catedral" (1921) is considered the most impressive work of another acclaimed Paraguayan guitarist, Agustín Barrios. Rojas is often credited with bringing his name to attention in modern times through her interpretations of his traditional music.

Danza paraguaya describes both a style of music (Paraguayan polka) and cultural dance. Almost all Paraguayan women know the dance because their mothers/grandmothers/older female figures teach them during childhood. This song is often used during danza paraguaya performances.

This clip from the DVD, "Paraguay According to Agustin Barrios," showcases the Paraguayan landscape with Rojas playing Barrios' "Las Abejas" (for those wondering what Paraguay looks like).

And this clip basically sums up Paraguayan culture in 2 minutes and 45 seconds (note the traditional folk music, terere, national flag, and people speaking in Guarani). It's from a show on one of our six public channels (this is what you'd see if you were to watch TV here -- conveniently, they always show the date and temperature in the top left corner of every channel). My favorite part: 2:14 - 2:19.

Definitely digging the old-school Paraguayan music. The new-school (Paraguayan "pop" = reggaeton, electronica, and lots of Lady Gaga & Black Eyed Peas)...not so much.