The document discusses the history and evolution of music from the African diaspora across the Americas over the past 500 years. It explores how the mixing of African rhythms with European harmonies created new musical forms in countries ranging from the US to Brazil to Uruguay. It provides an in-depth look at the history and traditions of Candombe drumming and dance in Uruguay and Argentina as one example of the enduring cultural impacts of the African diaspora. The overall goal is to increase awareness and appreciation of these musical traditions and their descendants today.

1. The Beat Is The History
500 YEARS. 5000 MILES.

2. We work with ethnomusicologists, historians and linguists to
explore, document and promote the evolution of culture rooted
in the African diaspora in the Americas.
The African slave trade cast a long cultural shadow on the
Americas-- producing new forms of music, dance, expressions,
spirituality and literature that are visible and yet not widely
known throughout the Americas and the world.
The Beat carries the history across time and geography
of the African diaspora and its descendants.
Our Mission is to expand awareness of today’s makers
of the Best while bringing presence and voice of its
descendants.
The Beat is the History
500 YEARS. 5000 MILES.

3. Locations
(sample set)
Current day
Afro-descendants %
Uruguay 10%
Peru 8%
Bolivia 2%
Columbia 30%
Venezuela 4%%
Argentina 4%
Chile 5%
Paraguay 1%
Ecuador 10%
Brazil 50%
Guyana 29%
Surinam 37%
Trinidad & Tobago 34%
Aruba 15%
Curacao 15%
Mexico 2%
Costa Rica 7%
Panama 15%
Belize 7%
Cuba 50%
Puerto Rico 18%
The cultural imprints of the African diaspora in
the Americas spans an Atlantic arc from Virginia’s
James River (United States) to the Rio de la Plato
Uruguay. Spanning 5000 miles and encapsulating
500 years of Africans in the Americas, this arc
delivered the new music forms and cultural
expressions across the Americas.
The confluence of Africa’s polyrhythmic beats and
European harmonies and melodies--including
indigenous music-- reverberate into the varied
sounds and rhythms across the Americas.
THE BEAT IS THE HISTORY.
Not imitations of European nor transplanted
African cultures, the new cultures heralded the
music of the Americas.
Perspective
THE AMERICAS

4. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the convergence of European measured
harmonies and of African organic polyrhythmic established a new foundation
for music, dance and expressions. The rhythms of the Americas.
American Music
The roots of modern day ‘American’ (U.S.) music is traced
to the areas connected to the delta regions and rivers
of the American deep south.
Blues Gospel Rock
Jazz R&B/Soul
Caribbean Beats
Like its northern and southern continental neighbors,
a Caribbean islands developed varied distinct music
and dance styles.
Calypso Reggae Steelpan
Salsa Ska
Rhythms of South America
The melding of Africa’s polyrhythmic beats,
European harmonies, and indigenous influences,
further evolved iterations and syncopations
in South America
Candombe Marcatu Tango
Rumba Cumbia
Samba Corrulau
About/license - FreeCulture.org (archive.org)
The Rhythms of the Americas

5. Candombe
THE SOUND OF RESISTANCE
Candombe is an expression of music, history, culture, spirituality, dance, and
resistance tied to the slaves and African descendants brought to Uruguay
during colonial times. The end of slavery in Uruguay trapped the African
descendants in then undesirable Montevideo communities — current day
Barrio Sur, Palermo and Parque Rodó. These neighborhoods forged candombe.
Afro Uruguayans—descendants of the nations of Africa and Bantu markers—
merged instruments, chords, harmonies of Europe, and the polyrhythmic beat
of Africa in creating the new music form of candombe—along with tango.
Energized by oppression, spirited defiance and the echoes of ancestors, the
drumming, calls, and celebrations, manifested in the streets of Montevideo,
Uruguay.

6. Instruments. Three Tambors The Candombe drums. piano (bass
range), repique (tenor range), and the chico (alto range). Single skin
headed, made of wood, and have a curved barrel shape with its
base very narrow. Includes examination of distinctive community
rhythms and affectations)
Dance. The Call Introductory hands-on lessons and participation.
Timing, cadence, claves, hand positioning, execution of beats,
sounds, and rhythms— Parades/Compasas, Las Llamadas (the Calls).
Every Sunday and on many holidays, the llamadas de tambores de Candombe or
Candombe drum calls enliven the Sur, Palermo and Cordón districts in southern
Montevideo, Uruguay, home to a population of African descent. The practice of
the Candombe begins around communal fires as people gather to tune their
drums and socialize before beginning their march. Once underway, the drum-call
parade is led by the most prestigious members, from families recognized by the
community for their drumming for many generations; other drummers are
organized behind them in rows, and informal participants, dancers and
spectators march alongside or watch from balconies.
Candombe
THE CALL

7. FAMILY – COMMUNITY - NEIGHBORHOOD
The beat of the largest and deepest drum, the piano, is distinctive
to each of the three neighborhoods, so that the organized call and
response structure of the Candombe both unites the districts and
signals their individual identities. Transmitted within families of
African descent, the Candombe is recognized as an expression of
resistance as well as a Uruguayan musical celebration and
collective social practice deeply interwoven in the daily life of
these neighborhoods. It is also a symbol and manifestation of the
memory of the community, drawing former residents back on
special days to the historical nucleus of Candombe.
Comparsa

8. Candombe
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, located directly across the banks of
the Rio de la Plata from Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday evenings
is a time of the call of the drum. Several small diverse
neighborhood gatherings (Comparsas) spring forth in response
to an urgent call.
The relentless reverberation drumming, dancers, revelers, and
street participants morph into an organic festive avalanching
parade. The creeping contagion engulfs passers-by, tourists,
and locals into its cobble-stoned street revelry– seduced and
overwhelmed by the beat.
This is Candombe with the Buenos Aires flavoring.
Candombe
KAMBA CUA, PARAGUAY (NEAR ASUNCION)
One of two descendant subtribes of Kenya’s Kamba tribe thrives and
performs Candombe. They are descendants of the first slaves in
Paraguay arriving in 1556 during Spain’s colonial rule.
The Kamba Cua performs with a Kamba shaped drum with
polyrhythmic drumbeats, dances, and brilliant yellow costumes,
referencing a traditional Kamba styling.
Special Note: The Ballet Kamba Cua has won several awards at
international festival. Ballet Kamba Ballet Cua is using its platform
advance awareness of the community’s plight and to advance
economic and social equality

9. Carnival in Montevideo is anchored in the mid-18th century originating as day for the slaves to celebrate their cultural heritage. Candombe emerged from these
celebrations– with drums (drumming) and dances anchoring the celebrations. After freedom, the celebrations continued, incorporating African and European traditions.
While carnival is generally rooted glamorous festive as religious pre-Lenten celebrations, Carnival in Uruguay is an extended (40 days) celebration steep in family and
community gatherings. Far less religious, Carnival continues as a visual and spiritual celebration of its African roots. Candombe emerged from these celebrations.
This is a prime time to visit Uruguay as weeks of festivals, partying, spectacular costumes, and elaborate performances, and parades are in full swing. Also, Las
Llamadas (the Calls) is celebrated by Uruguay’s black community occurs during the same period.
Carnival

10. What’s Next
CANDOMBE IS OUR INITIATION POINT.
Our intent is to continue introducing and expanding knowledge and impact of the polyrhythmic beat
in a way that
• Broadens awareness and connectedness of the African experience in the Americas
• Explores interchange, collaboration, and synthesis of varied rhythms and expressions
• Establishes avenues of direct engagement and exchange
• Partner with other networks, organizations, and community groups of like interests
We Need Your Help
• Donate, contribute, and support our efforts to grow and share awareness
• Promote, share, and introduce us to your networks, contact groups, teams, schools,
college/university bands, community, friends and associates.
Visit us: echoesandfootprints.com
• Subscribe, Follow, Friend, Forward and Tag at all your favorite social sites.
• Give Feedback. Share your ideas and areas of interest.
We are actively seeking opportunities to engage and share our passion.

11. Peru is home to one of the largest African
diasporas in Latin America.
The Afro-Peruvian community is largely
concentrated in the coastal regions of Peru
(near cities of Lima and El Callao)
The instrumental trinity of Afro-Peruvian
music– cajon, cajita, quijada
Exploration
▪ Afro-Peruvian music,
or Música negra, is a
type of Latin American
music first developed
in Peru by enslaved
black people from
West Africa, where it
is known as Criolla
▪ It is a blending of West
African and Spanish
music.
▪ Festejo- 'fiesta’-- is a
festive form of Afro-
Peruvian music
Discovery Support
▪ Grant
▪ Donation and
contribution
▪ Match and challenge
requests
▪ Sponsorships
▪ Pursue Fulbright
▪ Partnerships
▪ Percussion and Music
Theory Workshops
▪ Comparative and
Perspective Exchange
Execution
▪ Virtual and in-
person connections
▪ Developed a digital
plan with local
music /cultural
institutions.
▪ Connected with the
US Embassy
▪ Targeted three
demographic
groups for directed
digital reach plans
and metrics.
▪ Engage Peruvian
communities in US.
Roadmap
PERU