Were You Listening? Track 27: Bruca Maniguá (English)

Send us Fan MailHola Mix(ed)tape listeners! Today we'll be listening to Bruca Maniguá, interpreted by Ibrahim Ferrer with Buena Vista Social Club. In Bruca Maniguá, Cuban composer Arsenio Rodríguez writes about the existential need of a black man for his freedom. We’ll contextualize the song with the help of two incredible guests: Mel Semé, the artist who interprets Ibrahim Ferrer in the Buena Vista Social Club musical on Broadway, and professor David García, who has done extensive research on Arsenio.In Bruca Maniguá, Arsenio brilliantly uses the common practice of stereotyping black characters to flip the script and, instead, present a dignified black character proud of his ancestry, aware of his exploitation, and who demands his freedom. Musically, the song is characteristic of Arsenio’s afro-cubanos, with an initial tango-congo section followed by a montuno, which Arsenio is the creator of. Were we listening?   We hope this track helps to add value to your listening and awareness in your dancing!Find all of our Were You Listening? episodes here.For more info and resources check our website  here and our YouTube channel here.Contact us at: [email protected] you like the music we use check our playlists here.Host/Director: Andrés Hincapié, PhDProducer/Sound Editor: Andrés Hincapié, PhDTranslation: Andrés Hincapié, PhD, Carlos Javier FélixVoice-over: Gerald Harrison