The miscegenation became essential and was present throughout the Venezuelan territory. The Zulian region could not be the exception. In that region, its inhabitants created valuable musical manifestations. One of these is the unique Zulian gaita.
Origin
All the information read agrees in affirming that the exact origin of the gaita was lost in time. In turn, the name, as described by those who have delved into the investigation of the subject such as Agustín Pérez Piñango, and Régulo Díaz, The qualifier of gaita has prevailed in Zulia because of the similarity, with the demonstrations of the same order that are usual in some regions of Spain, especially in Galicia, where the Galician gaita stands out. These manifestations are a boisterous party in which happy tunes are expressed based on instrumentation.
This type of musical manifestation was rooted in the popular Zulian classes. These communities emulated the Hispanic tradition, giving particular characteristics that give life to a Creole and mestizo party. Initially, the gaita is linked to the Catholic liturgy in December, in honor of the Virgin.
Over time, it underwent several transformations, but it maintained that small-town essence and that Zulian, joyful, popular, emotional, sentimental, and deeply religious affinity, thanks to the devotion to the Chiquinquira Virgin.
Another version
Another version is also known, which places the origin of the Zulian gaita in the canton of Gibraltar, a region located in the southern area of Lake Maracaibo. There was a great introduction of African slaves to attend the workshop on the farms in the area. It is mentioned, that the inspiration for these songs was the result of the bad treatment received by the slaves. They began to sing songs that represented their complaints about the attitude of the oppressive master.
Giving origin to the gaita of the southern area of the lake, whose history evokes a painful event for Africans vilely subjected to slavery.
The result
Through time this dispute over the origin of the gaita endured the opinion among its cultists. However, this has not affected the creation and development of the musical manifestation. Deeply rooted among the Zulian people and spread throughout the Venezuelan territory.
