Guarania, sound of Paraguayan soul
Inscribed in 2024 (19.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
© SNC, 2023 The Guarania is a musical genre originating in Paraguay. Created in the early twentieth century, it is a collective expression of Paraguayan values. It uses the Guarani language, combining elements of native and popular music. The genre is characterized by syncopated rhythms and a slow tempo that is inspired by the Paraguayan polka. It is a key part of the daily life of Paraguayans in the family and community environments. The music is often accompanied by the guitar and double bass. Musicians and singers interpret the work of great masters in recitals, concerts and social spaces, as part of instrumental and vocal ensembles and symphonic orchestras. Poets, writers, researchers, civil society organizations, cultural managers, instrument manufacturers, and the general Paraguayan society, all enjoy and identify with the Guarania. The practice is transmitted primarily within families and through public and private training centres and music groups. It is also passed on and promoted through museums, temporary exhibitions, and public and private spaces dedicated to creators and performers. The Guarania is believed to promote a sense of shared identity and belonging for Paraguayans and the diaspora. It is also perceived as a symbol of resilience and Paraguayan values.
