Colombian music, as does all music in the Americas, comes from the mixture of three races and cultures: The white European, the African brought as slaves and the native Americans that lived here before the Europeans came.  On the other hand, Colombian music, as does folk music in general, has always come from the lower classes.  The upper classes have always tried to emulate the customs of the powers of the time (Europe first and now also the United States); nevertheless, the music always starts to slowly get acceptance to the point that it eventually becomes part of our national identity.  Even today you can see it happen.