Burundanga (part. Lola Flores)

The song 'Burundanga' by Celia Cruz, featuring Lola Flores, is a vibrant and rhythmic piece that tells a story through a series of actions passed from one character to another. The lyrics describe a chain of events where Songo hits Borondongo, who then hits Bernabé, leading Bernabé to hit Muchilanga, who uses burundanga, causing their feet to swell. The repetition of these actions creates a catchy and memorable narrative that is typical of Cruz's Afro-Cuban musical style, which often includes storytelling through song.

The use of the word 'burundanga' in the song is particularly interesting. Burundanga is a colloquial term for scopolamine, a powerful drug that can cause hallucinations and disorientation. In the context of the song, it seems to be used metaphorically to describe the consequences of a series of negative actions, suggesting that harmful behavior can have a domino effect, leading to unexpected and undesirable outcomes. The swelling of the feet could symbolize the burden or consequences that come with such actions.

Amidst the playful narrative, there is a call for love and humanity with the refrain 'Mamá Abambelé practica el amor, defiende al humano, porque entre hermanos se vive mejor,' which translates to 'Mother Abambelé practices love, defends the human, because among brothers, life is better.' This message serves as a reminder of the importance of love and solidarity, contrasting with the cycle of retribution depicted in the song. It suggests that embracing love and defending one another is the key to a better life, breaking the cycle of negativity.