History of the Paraguayan Harp

One item that has great cultural tradition in the country of Paraguay is the Paraguayan harp. Not only does it represent the nation and its time-honored musical history, but it also characterizes the ideals that further a communal notion of unity. The Paraguayan harp is a hallmark of pride in their country, historical remembrance, folk tradition, and Guarani-Spanish past. The rhythms, lyrics, and song titles connected with the instrument and its music induce feelings of endearment for Paraguay’s national heritage. With the promotion of traditional music festivals, instruction in conservatories and schools, and promotion of the harp and traditional Paraguayan music through television and radio broadcasts, the Paraguayan harp has become one of the most celebrated Latin American folk traditions. One of the most notable Paraguayan harpists was Felix Perez Cardozo. His international music career in the 1930s and 1940s aided in the advancement of the instrument and the folk music of Paraguay. Today, hundreds of professional Paraguayan harpists perform throughout the world, and thousands of non-Paraguayan harpists have begun to take up the instrument and its unique style of music.

            The Paraguayan harp has an extensive history dating back to the 16^th century when Spanish explorer Cardozo Ocampo, who was a harpist, visited the country. Throughout the 17^th and 18^th centuries, Jesuit missionaries used the harp while evangelizing the native Guarani Indians and taught many of the natives how to play the instrument. After the exit of the Jesuits at the end of the 18^th century, several mission Indians kept their learned skill and gathered in towns and contributed to the colonial mixing that resulted in the current Paraguayan people. Many of the Guarani Indians became skilled craftsmen and instrument makers and developed the Paraguayan harp based on the harp used by the Europeans and Jesuits. The harp continues to be made today and remains a great cultural tradition in the country of Paraguay.

The Paraguayan Soy Debate: Cash Crop vs. Deforestation

Over the last several years, a large number of giant soy farms have been popping up throughout Paraguay. As a result, Paraguay has lost a large part of their forest. On one side of the argument, soy is a great cash crop and contributor to Paraguay's struggling economy. Soy is also used in the making of bio fuel and the argument can be made that it helps reduce emissions. However, with the soy fields taking over what used to be such great forest area, the argument can also be made that the lack of those trees is bad for the environment because the trees are not their to convert carbon emissions back into oxygen. The following video by BBC Travel discusses the issue further.

The Economy of Paraguay

The economy of Paraguay is very reliant upon the informal sector of the market, mainly the re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries. The service industry along with thousands of micro enterprises and urban street vendors make up most of the economic activity that takes place within the large cities. A great percentage of people, mostly in rural areas, make their living through agriculture. The economy grew quickly between 2003 and 2008 as the demand for their commodities was helped with advantageous growing weather. One of these great commodities crops is soy. Paraguay is the sixth largest producer of soy in the world. The greatest threat to Paraguay’s economy is drought, political corruption, and deficient infrastructure. The 2010 GDP was $30.94 billion dollars and a $4,900 GDP per capita. The best news about Paraguay’s economy is their GDP growth rate of 6.5% in 2010 that ranks 31^st in the world!

Paraguay

Paraguay is a constitutional democracy with a developing economy. Tourist facilities are adequate in the capital city of Asuncion, but vary greatly in quality and prices. The terrain consists of grassy and marshy plains, dry forest, and some wooded hills in the eastern part of the country. The climate is subtropical to temperate with considerable rainfall in the east. 

Paraguay’s recent history began on May 14, 1811 when it became independent from Spain. From 1865 to 1870 Paraguay fought in the bloody War of the Triple Alliance against Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. During the war Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult men and a significant amount of territory. Between 1932 and 1935, the Chaco War was fought against Bolivia, and Paraguay acquired a great part of the Chaco region. The county was under the military dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner until 1989, but since then has been able to hold fairly free and consistent presidential elections since that time.