Considering my own background and in accordance to our theme discussed this week “Music and Ethnicity”, there are plenty of examples that genres associated found in the ecuadorian ethnicity. One example of genre that is well known in my home country is “Pasillo”. This specific genre widely spread across South America, and the genre is characterized by instruments such as a guitar, string instruments and sometimes include other instruments similar to a flute. “As it spread through the Gran Chaco area in the early 1800s, pasillo took on characteristics of the music in isolated villages in the area. Although pasillo is recognizable anywhere, the tone, style and tempo of the music can differ from village to village. During the South American Wars of Independence, pasillo became closely associated with Ecuadorian nationalism” (n.a Ecuador.com). Although many countries are well aware of this genre, during time lapses of war and chaos in the ecuadorian country, this gender became known as one of many nationalist aspects of the culture. 

One of the best performers and referents of the “Pasillo” genre is singer and composer Julio Jaramillo. He maximized the popularity of the genre around the world, and was characterized for his sad lyrics and melodies that form the structure of a traditional pasillo. Typically this type of music is played in any type of Ecuadorian party, but it is tied more to a drinking culture. In other words, where you hear this type of music, you can infer that there is any form of alcoholic consumption nearby because of the “sad” tonality that the genre conveys. Over time, this aspect has remained prevalent, and though the popularity of the genre has decreased over time, its relation to the Ecuadorian culture has stayed authentic and is still viewed as something to be prideful of nowadays. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjoyedX1X1M example of four known pasillo songs by performer Julio Jaramillo. 

Link used: https://www.ecuador.com/blog/pasillo-the-rhythm-of-ecuador/