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¡Viva viernes!     (Long live Friday! In other words, TGIF!)

La fecha es el nueve (9) de junio del año dos mil veintitrés. (The date is June 9, 2023.)

This week’s Nicaraguan song feature by Camilo Zapata, El solar de Monimbó (The Site of Monimbó), is a classic son describing dancers in the indigenous neighborhood of Monimbó in Masaya, Nicaragua.

“Al sonar de la marimba, se desborda Monimbó.” (Monimbó is overflowing with the sound of the marimba). 

“Hay que ver bailar en cinta la mujer del Mandador.” (You must see the director’s wife dancing in ribbon).

“Don Rodrigo está tanteando, cómo le hace por detrás, zapateando, zapateando,

zapatea y nada más.” (Don Rodrigo is trying out, how he does it from behind, tapping and stomping, tapping and stomping, he taps and stomps and nothing more).

“Hay que ver a Doña Inés pa’ bailar como zapatea a la vez, y hace la cadera temblar.” (You must see Doña Inés dance, how she taps and stomps and makes her hips shake).

“Oí el consejo que le da al compadre Juan para bailar:” (I heard the advice that she gives to partner Juan for dancing:)

“«Hacete para allá, no te vengás, no tan arrecostado,” (‘Go over there, don’t come, not so slouchy).

“Parecés un gallo remojado, meneadito” (You look like a shaky, wet rooster).

“Juancho, nada más pegadito” (Juancho, just closely).

“Juancho, nada más cuidadito” (Juancho, just carefully).

“Cua’ito me tocás»” (Careful, you’re touching me’).

¡Bailemos y cantemos! (Let’s dance and sing!) You can sing along to la letra (the lyrics). Read more about the dance and watch a demo in this artículo (article).

¡Que tengas un viernes volante!     (May you have a flying Friday!)

L. A. Feliz

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