The jarabe is one of the most traditional song forms of the
mariachi
Mariachi (, , ) is a genre of regional Mexican music dating back to at least the 18th century, evolving over time in the countryside of various regions of western Mexico. The usual mariachi group today consists of as many as eight violins, two ...
genre. In the
Spanish language
Spanish () or Castilian () is a Romance languages, Romance language of the Indo-European languages, Indo-European language family that evolved from the Vulgar Latin spoken on the Iberian Peninsula of Europe. Today, it is a world language, gl ...
, ''jarabe'' literally means ''
syrup
In cooking, syrup (less commonly sirup; from ; , beverage, wine and ) is a condiment that is a thick, viscous liquid consisting primarily of a Solution (chemistry), solution of sugar in water, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars but ...
'', which probably refers to the mixture of meters within one ''jarabe'' (compare ''
salsa'').
Typically, a jarabe will go from a to others sections with , , return to and end in another meter. The 6/8 rhythmic pattern is a constant pattern with no ''contratiempos'' as in the ''
son jaliscience''. Although today the ''jarabes'' are instrumental songs only, the ''jarabes'' originated as a medley of favorite regional ''sones'' and ''canciones''. The regional nature of the ''jarabes'' are often visible in their name, e.g. ''
Jarabe tapatío'' (''
Tapatío
Guadalajara ( ; ) is the capital and the most populous city in the western Mexican List of states of Mexico, state of Jalisco, as well as the most densely populated municipality in Jalisco. According to the 2020 census, the city has a population ...
'' is something or someone from the city of
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara ( ; ) is the capital and the most populous city in the western Mexican List of states of Mexico, state of Jalisco, as well as the most densely populated municipality in Jalisco. According to the 2020 census, the city has a population ...
). The ''jarabe'' is traditionally performed with dancers, and in its traditional form constituted a highly improvised choreographic tradition.
While most jarabes from Jalisco are not sung, those from Zacatecas do have verses. Many of these traditional jarabes from Zacatecas are being revived by the traditional group ''Los Jaraberos de Nochistlán''.
Jarabe verses were a vehicle of popular resistance during the
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution () was an extended sequence of armed regional conflicts in Mexico from 20 November 1910 to 1 December 1920. It has been called "the defining event of modern Mexican history". It saw the destruction of the Federal Army, its ...
. While church and state decried them as immoral and subversive, and the accompanying dance as lascivious, the people felt the ''jarabe'' represented them and their political aspirations.
References
{{Reflist
Mexican styles of music
Mariachi