cumbia

[koom-bee-uh, koom-byah]

noun

1. a type of Latin American dance music of Colombian origin, similar to salsa and using guitars, accordions, bass guitar, and percussion.

2. a dance performed to this music.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumbia¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from Latin American Spanish; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

The follow-up, 2022's Motomami, was a wildly innovative pop smash, twisting Latin American genres like cumbia and reggaeton around glitchy hip-hop beats and her playful, sinuous melodies.

Read more on BBC

On songs like “Pa’ Mi Gente,” she tells the stories of immigrant workers and expresses their importance over the resounding guiros of cumbia folclórica.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Pivoting away from her usual banda influences, “Flores En Mi Alma” instead channels elements of cumbia, reggae and R&B into the sounds of contemporary música Mexicana.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A day laborer, an organizer, a serenader, a skilled cumbia dancer and, now, an actor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I wanted to focus on: What would it be like if all these workers, what they’re looking forward to at the end of the day, is gathering under a tree to have a little cumbia? And how can I get to this party?”

Read more on Los Angeles Times