Bomba for expatriates... of Borikén

That's why we always say "se nos sube el ritmo por los pies". I f you grew up in Puerto Rico or other puertorican community abroad with strong attachment to our cultural traditions, you at least have tried one or two step of Bomba. It is like the blood running trough our veins. It's in our subconscious. You know the rhythm is there, you recognize the drums, "el culipandeo"(the unique way of the women dancing with their ass, or when walking). Yes most of the puertorican women talk with their hips and I luv it!, ja, ja, ja!

And like a smart lawyer say, "volviendo al sunto que nos compete"; Bomba music is one of our traditional music with strong ties from our afrocaribbean roots...but the following reading and videos are from people who really knows and can talk about this beautiful music...

The bomba is a uniquely Puerto Rican musical genre for dance. Although critics are uncertain about the exact origin of the bomba, it is generally agreed that it is derived from West Africa, through the importation of slaves to Puerto Rico from that region. Some have said that it first developed at the end of the 17th century in Loiza, a Puerto Rican town with a strong African presence. The bomba flourished wherever the West African slaves and their descendants lived and worked. In Puerto Rico, this was typically on the colonial plantations that were common along the coastal plains... ( Source Music of Puerto Rico)

And remember always live your life "con mucho sabor"....

Other link (in spanish) about the dance of Bomba...

However to see real Bomba dancer in action, I included a couple of videos from La Familia Ayala one of the most important dancers among other important musician, who keep this beautiful art expression alive.







Don Felix Arduen