Material Culture of Procura

The song Procura covers just about all of the material culture items that are known to the Merengue genre.  Merengue music does have instruments that are usually used throughout the songs.  With the traditional styles of music being played it is only proper to wear to traditional clothing.  Procura does not have a certain culture that listens to this song.  After all of this is combined one can see that clothing and instruments are important for this song. 

            The clothing concern is present to help back up the traditionally style of the music.  Merengue does have a traditional style with a certain twist.  Clothing that is normally worn for this type of song would be a long skirted dress for females.  For the males they would wear slacks with a button up shirt.  Both dancers would have on the fashionable shoes with females having high heels on and the males having proper dress shoes. 

            Merengue music has always had certain instruments that are used for its songs.  These instruments include many electric items such as the guitar, bass, and accordion.  Other instruments used are the güira, saxophone, drums, and horns.  The song Procura does have horns, guitars, and percussion instruments. 

            After doing the research one would see that Procura does have the traits of Merengue music.  This would be the traits of certain clothing be worn when danced to.  As well as the instruments that are being played throughout the song.  Procura represents Merengue’s material culture well with its different aspects.

Source: Sellers, Julia A. Merengue and Dominican Identity. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2004. 1-225.