Jíbaro Music
The Puerto Rican musical style which exhibits the most marked influence of Spanish culture, is without any doubt Jíbaro Music. Emerging in the island around the 17th century, Jíbaro Music is still widely performed in Puerto Rico, especially during Christmas season at the traditional parrandas (Christmas parties). One of the main instruments in Jíbaro Music is the Puerto Rican cuatro, a string instrument which is believed to derive from the Spanish vihuela. It can be heard in the video below played by the talented cuatrista Wilbert Maldonado.