Music and Identity in Paraguay: Expressing National, Racial and Class Identity in Guitar Music Culture

This article illustrates, with particular focus on Rolando Chaparro's rock fusion album Bohemio (2011), the way in which music operates in expressing Paraguayan national, racial and class identity. It first reviews the literature on music and identity generally, as well as more specifically in relation to Paraguay. It then explores expressions of nationalism and paraguayidad (Paraguayanness) in folkloric 'popular' musics (musica popular) and the concept of raza guarani (a widespread belief in a common ancestry based on Spanish and Guarani ethnic identity) in the construction, maintenance and expression of identity. Finally, it examines the Agustin Barrios revivals in Paraguay and people's class consciousness as it is expressed in Paraguayan guitar music culture.