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Thejarabe is one of the most traditional song forms of themariachi genre. In theSpanish language,jarabe literally meanssyrup, which probably refers to the mixture of meters within onejarabe (comparesalsa).
Typically, a jarabe will go from a6
8 to others sections with3
4,2
4, return to6
8 and end in another meter. The 6/8 rhythmic pattern is a constant pattern with nocontratiempos as in theson jaliscience. Although today thejarabes are instrumental songs only, thejarabes originated as a medley of favorite regionalsones andcanciones. The regional nature of thejarabes are often visible in their name, e.g.Jarabe tapatío (Tapatío is something or someone from the city ofGuadalajara, Jalisco). Thejarabe is traditionally performed with dancers, and in its traditional form constituted a highly improvised choreographic tradition.

While most jarabes from Jalisco are not sung, those from Zacatecas do have verses. Many of these traditional jarabes from Zacatecas are being revived by the traditional groupLos Jaraberos de Nochistlán.[1]
Jarabe verses were a vehicle of popular resistance during theMexican Revolution. While church and state decried them as immoral and subversive, and the accompanying dance as lascivious, the people felt thejarabe represented them and their political aspirations.