The Yambú is, along with the columbia and the guaguancó, one of the forms of the Cuban rumba. origins
Like the columbia, the yambú has its origin in the province of Matanzas, more specifically, in the humble neighborhoods of its urban and suburban areas.
Cataloged as one of the oldest forms of rumba, its birth and development is between the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first of the twentieth century. Of this time it is the legendary district The Heights of Simpson, considered the main quarry of musicians and interpreters of this rhythm.
In Matanzas and its suburbs the bands emerged, which were groups composed mainly of rumberos. Some names of these societies were El Bando Azul, Los Congos de Angunga, La Clave de Oro and La Nueva de India, among others. characteristics
In the yambú, the dance is represented by a couple and is characterized by strong sensual insinuations.
The old yambú sets of Matanzas were consecrated improvisers and they had a tumbadora and a fifth, which was nothing more than a wooden cajon on which the touches were improvised. To this group of musicians was also added a "spoiler".
The vocalization was characterized by the interpretation of short melodies on a major mode and was performed by a choir and a soloist. Sources
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