Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
6-2026
Document Type
Master's Capstone Project
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program
Liberal Studies
Advisor
Benjamin Lapidus
Subject Categories
Black History | Caribbean Languages and Societies | Cultural History | Digital Humanities | Ethnomusicology | Folklore | Latin American History | Latina/o Studies | Musicology | Music Theory | Oral History | Other History | Other Music | Public History
Keywords
Santiago de Cuba, conga, conga santiaguera, carnival, Afro-Cuban, percussion
Abstract
Santiago de Cuba is home to the island’s biggest, oldest, and most famous carnival. Any local resident will confirm that “sin conga no hay carnaval (without conga there is no carnival).” In Santiago, conga refers to a vibrant street procession, the music that drives it, and the ensemble that makes the music. Conga Santiaguera: A Century of Innovation and Competition presents a musical history of the conga from roughly 1910 to 2010. This project, https://cuny.manifoldapp.org/projects/conga employs an eBook, musical analysis, oral histories, and audiovisual media to show how the conga has been constantly reinvigorated by innovation, competition, and Afro-Diasporic rhythm. The eBook identifies important musical milestones and highlights the enduring connections between competitive conga ensembles and their neighborhoods. Musical analysis situates the conga within the broad context of Afro-Diasporic rhythm and identifies its connections to other Black Atlantic traditions. Video content celebrates Santiago’s tradition bearers by showcasing their creativity and their memories of venerated players who preceded them.
Conga Santiaguera: A Century of Innovation and Competition is aimed at a broad audience of musicians, music fans, and scholars.
Recommended Citation
Herman, Nick, "Conga Santiaguera: A Century of Innovation and Competition" (2026). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/6704
Archived Website
Included in
Black History Commons, Caribbean Languages and Societies Commons, Cultural History Commons, Digital Humanities Commons, Ethnomusicology Commons, Folklore Commons, Latin American History Commons, Latina/o Studies Commons, Musicology Commons, Music Theory Commons, Oral History Commons, Other History Commons, Other Music Commons, Public History Commons
