Traditional Venezuelan Music and Venezuelan Identity

Traditional Venezuelan Music and Venezuelan Identity

History

Rafael Duque

2024

This study investigates the role of traditional music in shaping Venezuelan national identity, with a specific focus on Musica Llanera ´ , a prominent folk style from the plains of the interior of Venezuela. Through a mixedmethods approach combining quantitative and qualitative survey data with expert insights, this research aims to understand the cultural significance attributed to traditional music by Venezuelans. The survey reveals a strong association between folk music and a sense of patriotism, with Musica Llanera ´ emerging as a central element of national pride. Thematic analysis of expert insights and survey responses underscores the genre’s journey from relative regional obscurity to widespread popularity, largely due to celebrated figures such as Simon Diaz. By examining both public perceptions and historical contexts, this research offers a deeper understanding of the unifying role that traditional music plays in Venezuela that largely transcends ethnic, social and political differences. Ultimately, it highlights the potential for broader cultural appreciation of Venezuelan folk music both within the country and on an international scale.

Music, Venezuela, Latin America, Identity, Nation, Nationalism, Research, R, Quantitative, Mixed-Methods, Survey, Interview, Expert Interview