Asunción, Paraguay’s capital, largest city, and major port, is situated at the confluence of the Paraguay and Pilcomayo rivers. It was the first permanent settlement in South America’s River Plate region. The rivers are vital to the city’s livelihood. Waterways have historically provided the main means of transport by linking Asunción to other South American cities.

In Paraguay, indigenous music traditions survive along with styles that mix Native American and Spanish influences. This example is a folk-song played on the harp and guitar, two instruments adopted from Europe. Paraguayan harp technique emphasizes rapid glissandos, while the guitar is usually strummed. Because Paraguay’s music is commonly associated with song texts and dances, the melodies make frequent use of repetition. Another distinctive characteristic of the music is the use of different times for the melody and the accompaniment.