Traditional Cumbia Dancers preparing in Cartagena, North Colombia
Cumbia originated on the Colombian Caribbean coast, where the music and dance of cumbia were used as a courtship ritual among African slaves. Later on, heavily influenced by the area’s rich and mixed cultural heritage, the music began to develop. It became a fusion of indigenous, African and Spanish influence that gave the music a unique style. This style, and the distinctive cumbia rhythm, has come to characterise many of Colombia’s most popular new artists, such as Bomba Estero. The dance is traditionally performed by pairs of men and women. Women play with the skirts, waving them, while holding a candle in one hand. Men dance behind them, taking their hat on and off with one hand while the other is hidden behind their back. Until the 20th Century, the dance was considered indecent and was therefore restricted to the lower classes. Today, of course, almost every Colombian knows how to at least imitate the dance.
Size: 3024px × 4032px
Location: Main Square, Cartagena, North Colombia, Latin America
Photo credit: © Valerie Armstrong / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: africa, cartagena, claves, costumes, cumbia, dance, drumming, drums, ecstatic, energy, hats, mapale, music, raw, rhythm, traditional
