World music Day- Know Your Musical Origins!

With which country would you associate K-Pop?

• Kazakhstan

• North Korea

• South Korea

• Kuwait

Answer explanation

K-Pop stands for Korean popular music that originated in South Korea. It has become world famous today with its young stars, synchronised dance movements, and universal genres and themes.  

Which country did the mambo dance originate in?

• Brazil

• Spain

• Portugal

• Cuba

Answer explanation

The mambo is a genre of Cuban dance music known for its energetic moves and catchy rhythms. This is a popular ballroom dance. It has elements of Afro-Caribbean and Latin American dance cultures in it.

 Which country is home to merengue?

• Dominican Republic

• Spain

• Haiti

• Madagascar

Answer explanation

Merengue refers to both the music and dance of the Dominican Republic. It includes elements of European and Afro-Cuban styles in it. This musical style is closely linked to the identity and spirit of this nation. In fact, the merengue dance is the national dance of the Dominican Republic.

With which region would you associate Celtic music?

• Ireland, Wales, and Scotland

• Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark

• Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

• Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg

Answer explanation

Celtic music evolved from folk traditions of the Celts in Northwestern Europe. But modern Celtic music can be found in the folk music of Ireland and Scotland. Traditional instruments such as the fiddle, Celtic harp and Irish flute are generally used in Celtic music. 

Bossa Nova is home to ____.

• Brazil

• Chile

• Peru

• Argentina

Answer explanation

Bossa Nova is a musical style that has its roots in the Samba, another popular Brazilian music form; it is a softer version of the Samba with influences from traditional Brazilian music and American jazz. In Portuguese, bossa nova means ‘new trend’. 

Reggae is a popular music style from _____.

• France

• Spain

• USA

• Jamaica

Answer explanation

Reggae has been the most popular musical style  in Jamaica since the 1960s. It has influences from Mento, a Jamaican folk music style, and American jazz. Reggae music lyrics are greatly influenced by an Afrocentric religion called Rastafari.

Where did Bluegrass music originate?

• UK

• Italy

• USA

• Australia

Answer explanation

Bluegrass music, developed in the Appalachian region (Eastern part) of the United States, is a genre of American folk music. This music traditionally uses acoustic instruments (as opposed to electric instruments) and has its roots in traditional English, Scottish, and Irish dance tunes as well as jazz. The name came from the band, Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys.

Gagaku is a type of music from _____.

• Vietnam

• Philippines

• Japan

• South Korea

Answer explanation

Gagaku is the oldest traditional classical music of Japan. It was developed as imperial court music.  It includes songs, dances, and a mixture of Asian music. 

Polka music is a kind of dance music that originated in ____.

• Scotland

• Czech Republic

• Bulgaria

• USA

Answer explanation

Polka originated in Bohemia, which is in the present-day Czech Republic. This European dance music form is popular in Europe and the Americas. Polka means ‘Polish woman’ in Czech.

Afrobeat is a kind of music genre that was first developed in ___.

• Nigeria

• Monaco

• Somalia

• South Africa

Answer explanation

Afrobeat is a Nigerian music genre; it has elements of African musical styles such as traditional Yoruba music and American soul, funk, and jazz.