A dance that began as a slave courtship ritual has taken the international music scene by storm.

Originating from Colombia’s colonial era, the traditional cumbia features a line of barefoot women dancing to African drums, maracas, and wind instruments. The modern revival, known as “cumbia digital” or “nu-cumbia,” incorporates rock instruments and computer sound synthesis into this traditional form.

Groups such as La Yegros and King Coya, above, perform the new cumbia for audiences across the globe.  Experience the craze yourself at Cartagena clubs Babar and Mr. Babillas.

October 20, 2009, 12:32pm  Comments