A new photojournalistic project by Karla Gachet and Iván Kashinsky, featured by NPR, documents the cultural journey of cumbia from its Colombian roots to its evolution across six American nations.
Oct 1, 2025
Source:
North Country Public Radio
Photojournalists Document Pan-American Rhythm
Photographers Karla Gachet and Iván Kashinsky are creating a visual record of cumbia, one of the most popular music genres in the Americas. Their series, featured by NPR, spans six countries to capture its enduring spirit.
The project, titled "Cumbia Across Latin America," follows the rhythm through Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and the United States. It aims to document the diverse people, places, and cultures that have shaped and sustained the genre.
This extensive photojournalistic work is supported by the National Geographic Explorer program, highlighting its significance in cultural documentary journalism.
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Source:
North Country Public Radio
The Roots of a Continental Sound
From Colombia's Caribbean Coast
Cumbia was born on Colombia’s Caribbean coast from a powerful blend of cultures. Its foundation is a synthesis of African, Indigenous, and European influences.
The genre’s core rhythm comes from African drums brought by enslaved people. This is combined with the melancholic melodies of Indigenous flutes, or gaitas, and European-influenced dance and dress. This fusion first took place in the wetlands of the Mompos Depression and the Montes de María mountain range.
Instruments and Legacy
Traditional cumbia features percussion like the tambor alegre, llamador, and tambora, alongside the iconic gaita. These instruments became symbols of peace and cultural resistance in regions affected by conflict.
The tradition has been preserved by key figures, particularly Afro-descendant women. Matriarchs such as Petrona Martinez and Emilia Reyes Salgado are recognized for safeguarding and transmitting cumbia’s legacy through sung dances.
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Source:
NPR
