Variantes de la polca paraguaya
Syryry, kyre'ỹ, popo, saraki, jekutu, correntina and galopa: the polka has a whole family.
What it is
The Paraguayan polka mixes binary and ternary rhythms, which is where its distinctive swing comes from. Over time it branched into several variants: the galopa, the kyre'ỹ, the syryry, the popo, the saraki, the jekutu and the correntina, among others. They share a base rhythmic pattern but differ in tempo, mood and style depending on the composer. There is also the sung 'polka canción', and for decades an electronic version played on synthesizers that is very popular in the countryside.
Did you know…?
The typical meter of the Paraguayan polka is 6/8, a pulse found across the music of the river-plate littoral and much of Latin America.
Listen to
Listen to a galopa, a polka song and an instrumental harp polka to hear the differences within the same family.
Music & dance
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.