‘Tutaina Tuturumaina’ plays every December, but its origin and meaning remain a mystery that connects tradition, faith and culture.
Each Decemberin the novenas of Christmas bonuses, schools and parishes, there is an inevitable Christmas carol: ‘Tutaina Tuturumaina’. Its simple melody and catchy chorus have made it one of the most recognized Christmas songs in Colombia, although few really know where it comes from or What do his words mean?
Among the songs that are repeated year after year, this Christmas carol occupies a special place. It is sung in a group, accompanied by clapping and usually close the novenas with an atmosphere of collective joy. With the passage of time, it has become established as one of the musical symbols of Colombian Christmas, although its origin is not entirely clear.
Behind that curious name and its repetitive chorus there is a story that mixes popular tradition, oral transmission and religious adaptation. Unlike other Christmas carols with identified author, ‘Tutaina Tuturumá’ has no composer or exact date of creation.
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The little that is known is that one of its most popular versions was recorded in the middle of the 20th century on the Sonolux label, with the voice of Saida Ochoa and the accompaniment of the Choir of the Venezuelan Institute of Ciegos, a recording that helped its massive dissemination in Colombia.
What is the origin of ‘Tutaina Tuturumaina’?
To understand this Christmas carol, you must first look at the history of the genre. Christmas carols emerged in the 13th century in Spain and their name is related to the “villas” and the called villains, people from the countryside and of humble origins who sang about everyday life.
In the beginning, they were not religious songs. They talked about love, heartbreak and everyday scenes, with simple structures of couplets and choruses that facilitated their memorization and dissemination. It was from the 16th century onwards that the Catholic Church incorporated these popular melodies for the evangelization, adapting its lyrics to the story of the birth of Jesus.
From Spain, the Christmas carols came to America during colonization. In the new continent they mixed with local traditions and were integrated into celebrations such as posadas and novenas, becoming a central element of Christmas in countries like Colombia.
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In this context appears ‘Tutaina Tuturumá’, an ancient Christmas carol by an unknown author, transmitted from generation to generation orally. Its permanence is explained by its festive and collective nature, designed to be sung by everyone.
What does ‘Tutaina’ mean and why is it so popular?
The word ‘tutaina’ has origin in Peru and is used colloquially to refer to a small party or a happy gathering. In that sense, the term fits perfectly with the celebratory atmosphere typical of Christmas bonus novenas.
For its part, expressions like ‘tuturumá’ or ‘tuturumaina’ do not have a literal meaning. They are phonetic resources created to accompany the rhythm of the song, reinforce the melody and facilitate its repetition, something common in popular music.
The lyrics of the Christmas carol, beyond its chorus, narrates scenes after the birth of the Child Jesus: the arrival of the Messiah, the joy aroused by his birth and the presence of shepherds and Three Wise Men, central elements of the biblical story that is relived every December.
A song that unites generations
Although its exact date of composition is not known, ‘Tutaina Tuturumá’ became popular in Colombia in the middle of the 20th century thanks to the record recordings that circulated widely in the country. Its light rhythm and repetitive chorus made it ideal for closing celebrations and gathering voices.
Beyond its literal meaning, this Christmas carol represents encounter, tradition and collective memory. It has been sung for generations and continues to be one of the most anticipated by children and adults, becoming one of the first songs that the little ones learn to sing every Christmas.
