Where the Mountains Sing

The Epic History of Carranga and the Music That Defines Boyacá

In the heart of the Colombian Andes, music is more than sound—it is memory, identity, and survival. Where the Mountains Sing is the definitive, sweeping history of carranga, the rural musical tradition born in Boyacá’s highlands and carried through centuries by farmers, artisans, muleteers, and dreamers.

From ancient Muisca rituals to colonial soundscapes, from humble campesino kitchens to the explosive rise of Jorge Velosa and the carranguero movement, Elena Caro masterfully uncovers the living story of a genre that once had no name—and became a national treasure.

Richly researched and beautifully written, this book blends ethnomusicology, cultural history, and vivid storytelling. Readers will travel through market towns, festivals, mountains, and migration routes, discovering how carranga rose from local gatherings to global streaming platforms while preserving its spirit of humor, resilience, and community.

Whether you love Colombian music, world folklore, Latin American history, or stories of cultural transformation, this is a landmark work that sings with authenticity and passion.

Discover the music that shaped a region—and continues to inspire a nation.