Tags: Genre, Music Genre, Topical Concept.
Festejo (from Spanish ‘fiesta’) is a festive form of Peruvian music. It can be seen as a celebration of Perú’s independence and the emancipation of slaves or as an attempt to reinvent diaspora African music without reference to slavery. Composers of all races have contributed to the development of festejo repertoire. Its origins are in a competitive circle dance performed by men playing cajóns. Nowadays people of all ages and races participate in a witty dance accompanying the festejo.