Music of Nicaragua
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Modern Nicaraguan culture is a mixture of indigenous and European, especially Spanish, influences. Musical instruments include the marimba and others common across Central America. Pop music includes Cuban, Brazilian, Mexican and Panamanian performers, as well as stars from Europe and the United States. The Garifuna community exists in Nicaragua and is known for its own popular music.
| Central American music |
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| Belize |
| Costa Rica |
| El Salvador |
| Garifuna |
| Guatemala |
| Honduras |
| Nicaragua |
| Panama |
The marimba of Nicarague is uniquely played by a sitting performer holding the instrument on his knees. He is usually accompanied by a bass fiddle, guitar and guitarrilla (a small guitar like a mandolin). This music is played at social functions as a sort of background music. The marimba is made with hardwood plates, placed over bamboo or metal tubes of varying lengths. It is played with two or four hammers.
The Caribbean coast of Nicaragua is known for a lively, sensual form of dance music that is especially loud and celebrated during the May Palo de Mayo festival.
Indigenous theater groups performed with music and dance. Theatrical manifestations include the Gueguense and Elegant Knights of Huaco Bull.
Prominent musicians and composers include Camilo Zapata, Dimension Costeña, Salvador Cardenal, Lia Barrios, Katia Cardenal, Luis Enrique and Carlos Mejia Godoy.