Recent
Recent
Recent
Explore Topics
Explore Topics
Explore Topics
NPR Series Chronicles Cumbia's Rhythm Across the Americas
An in-depth NPR visual series by photographers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky documents the cultural footprint of cumbia music from its Colombian roots to its evolution across six American nations.



Visual Project Chronicles Cumbia's Journey
An ambitious documentary project, featured in an NPR visual series, captures the vibrant spirit of cumbia. Renowned photographers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky have spent years tracing the rhythm of one of Latin America's most influential music genres.
Their work provides an in-depth look at cumbia's cultural footprint across six nations: Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and the United States. Through compelling photography and storytelling, they reveal the heart of a musical tradition that connects communities across borders.
The Photographers Behind the Lens
Both Gachet, an Ecuadorian photographer, and Kashinsky, an American, are celebrated for their long-term cultural documentation in Latin America. Their work has been featured in major publications, including National Geographic and The New York Times, underscoring their expertise in capturing stories of culture, identity, and social change.
Karla Gachet: Known for her focus on culture, territory, and Indigenous rights.
Ivan Kashinsky: Acclaimed for his photojournalism covering social and environmental issues.
Their joint portfolio can be explored further on platforms like Panos Pictures.
Visual Project Chronicles Cumbia's Journey
An ambitious documentary project, featured in an NPR visual series, captures the vibrant spirit of cumbia. Renowned photographers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky have spent years tracing the rhythm of one of Latin America's most influential music genres.
Their work provides an in-depth look at cumbia's cultural footprint across six nations: Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and the United States. Through compelling photography and storytelling, they reveal the heart of a musical tradition that connects communities across borders.
The Photographers Behind the Lens
Both Gachet, an Ecuadorian photographer, and Kashinsky, an American, are celebrated for their long-term cultural documentation in Latin America. Their work has been featured in major publications, including National Geographic and The New York Times, underscoring their expertise in capturing stories of culture, identity, and social change.
Karla Gachet: Known for her focus on culture, territory, and Indigenous rights.
Ivan Kashinsky: Acclaimed for his photojournalism covering social and environmental issues.
Their joint portfolio can be explored further on platforms like Panos Pictures.
Visual Project Chronicles Cumbia's Journey
An ambitious documentary project, featured in an NPR visual series, captures the vibrant spirit of cumbia. Renowned photographers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky have spent years tracing the rhythm of one of Latin America's most influential music genres.
Their work provides an in-depth look at cumbia's cultural footprint across six nations: Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and the United States. Through compelling photography and storytelling, they reveal the heart of a musical tradition that connects communities across borders.
The Photographers Behind the Lens
Both Gachet, an Ecuadorian photographer, and Kashinsky, an American, are celebrated for their long-term cultural documentation in Latin America. Their work has been featured in major publications, including National Geographic and The New York Times, underscoring their expertise in capturing stories of culture, identity, and social change.
Karla Gachet: Known for her focus on culture, territory, and Indigenous rights.
Ivan Kashinsky: Acclaimed for his photojournalism covering social and environmental issues.
Their joint portfolio can be explored further on platforms like Panos Pictures.



From Colombian Roots to Global Phenomenon
Cumbia's story begins on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, the acknowledged birthplace of the genre. It emerged from a rich blend of African, Indigenous, and Spanish musical influences.
From there, its infectious rhythm spread throughout the Americas. Gachet and Kashinsky’s project meticulously documents this expansion and the genre's subsequent evolution.
A Diverse Musical Landscape
The photographers illustrate how cumbia has been uniquely adapted in different regions:
In Mexico, it became a cornerstone of urban "sonidero" culture.
In Peru, it fused with psychedelic rock to create "chicha."
In the United States, it serves as a powerful cultural bridge for Latino immigrant communities, maintaining heritage while creating new forms of expression.
Each country has woven its own local instruments and styles into the fabric of cumbia, resulting in a diverse family of regional sounds. The project highlights the local variations, dance traditions, and colorful celebrations that define each community's relationship with the music.
From Colombian Roots to Global Phenomenon
Cumbia's story begins on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, the acknowledged birthplace of the genre. It emerged from a rich blend of African, Indigenous, and Spanish musical influences.
From there, its infectious rhythm spread throughout the Americas. Gachet and Kashinsky’s project meticulously documents this expansion and the genre's subsequent evolution.
A Diverse Musical Landscape
The photographers illustrate how cumbia has been uniquely adapted in different regions:
In Mexico, it became a cornerstone of urban "sonidero" culture.
In Peru, it fused with psychedelic rock to create "chicha."
In the United States, it serves as a powerful cultural bridge for Latino immigrant communities, maintaining heritage while creating new forms of expression.
Each country has woven its own local instruments and styles into the fabric of cumbia, resulting in a diverse family of regional sounds. The project highlights the local variations, dance traditions, and colorful celebrations that define each community's relationship with the music.
From Colombian Roots to Global Phenomenon
Cumbia's story begins on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, the acknowledged birthplace of the genre. It emerged from a rich blend of African, Indigenous, and Spanish musical influences.
From there, its infectious rhythm spread throughout the Americas. Gachet and Kashinsky’s project meticulously documents this expansion and the genre's subsequent evolution.
A Diverse Musical Landscape
The photographers illustrate how cumbia has been uniquely adapted in different regions:
In Mexico, it became a cornerstone of urban "sonidero" culture.
In Peru, it fused with psychedelic rock to create "chicha."
In the United States, it serves as a powerful cultural bridge for Latino immigrant communities, maintaining heritage while creating new forms of expression.
Each country has woven its own local instruments and styles into the fabric of cumbia, resulting in a diverse family of regional sounds. The project highlights the local variations, dance traditions, and colorful celebrations that define each community's relationship with the music.



Preserving Culture Through a Visual Narrative
This documentary project does more than just showcase music; it preserves an intangible cultural heritage. The visual storytelling by Gachet and Kashinsky makes the history and social significance of cumbia accessible to a global audience.
As amplified by outlets like NPR, their work fosters a deeper cross-cultural understanding of Latin American identity. The images of musicians, dancers, and vibrant festivals capture the resilience and joy of the communities linked by cumbia's rhythm.
Themes of Identity and Migration
The project often intersects with powerful themes of migration and belonging. For many, cumbia is a sound that carries the memory of home while being a source of community strength in new lands. Through their lenses, Gachet and Kashinsky tell a larger story of how cultural traditions evolve and thrive, reflecting the lived experiences of millions across the Americas.
Preserving Culture Through a Visual Narrative
This documentary project does more than just showcase music; it preserves an intangible cultural heritage. The visual storytelling by Gachet and Kashinsky makes the history and social significance of cumbia accessible to a global audience.
As amplified by outlets like NPR, their work fosters a deeper cross-cultural understanding of Latin American identity. The images of musicians, dancers, and vibrant festivals capture the resilience and joy of the communities linked by cumbia's rhythm.
Themes of Identity and Migration
The project often intersects with powerful themes of migration and belonging. For many, cumbia is a sound that carries the memory of home while being a source of community strength in new lands. Through their lenses, Gachet and Kashinsky tell a larger story of how cultural traditions evolve and thrive, reflecting the lived experiences of millions across the Americas.
Preserving Culture Through a Visual Narrative
This documentary project does more than just showcase music; it preserves an intangible cultural heritage. The visual storytelling by Gachet and Kashinsky makes the history and social significance of cumbia accessible to a global audience.
As amplified by outlets like NPR, their work fosters a deeper cross-cultural understanding of Latin American identity. The images of musicians, dancers, and vibrant festivals capture the resilience and joy of the communities linked by cumbia's rhythm.
Themes of Identity and Migration
The project often intersects with powerful themes of migration and belonging. For many, cumbia is a sound that carries the memory of home while being a source of community strength in new lands. Through their lenses, Gachet and Kashinsky tell a larger story of how cultural traditions evolve and thrive, reflecting the lived experiences of millions across the Americas.
What are some of the most iconic cumbia performances documented by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky?
The documentary project by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky focuses on capturing the overall cultural expression of cumbia, including musicians, dancers, instruments, and festival scenes across various countries. While their work showcases many performances, it emphasizes the broader tradition rather than singling out specific iconic performances. Their images can be viewed on platforms like <a href="https://www.panos.co.uk/stories/ivan-kashinsky-cumbia/" target="_blank">Panos Pictures</a>.
What are some of the most iconic cumbia performances documented by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky?
The documentary project by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky focuses on capturing the overall cultural expression of cumbia, including musicians, dancers, instruments, and festival scenes across various countries. While their work showcases many performances, it emphasizes the broader tradition rather than singling out specific iconic performances. Their images can be viewed on platforms like <a href="https://www.panos.co.uk/stories/ivan-kashinsky-cumbia/" target="_blank">Panos Pictures</a>.
What are some of the most iconic cumbia performances documented by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky?
The documentary project by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky focuses on capturing the overall cultural expression of cumbia, including musicians, dancers, instruments, and festival scenes across various countries. While their work showcases many performances, it emphasizes the broader tradition rather than singling out specific iconic performances. Their images can be viewed on platforms like <a href="https://www.panos.co.uk/stories/ivan-kashinsky-cumbia/" target="_blank">Panos Pictures</a>.
How has cumbia evolved in different countries as documented by the photographers?
How has cumbia evolved in different countries as documented by the photographers?
How has cumbia evolved in different countries as documented by the photographers?
What challenges did Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky face while documenting cumbia in various countries?
What challenges did Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky face while documenting cumbia in various countries?
What challenges did Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky face while documenting cumbia in various countries?
Are there any specific cumbia festivals or events that were highlighted in their work?
Are there any specific cumbia festivals or events that were highlighted in their work?
Are there any specific cumbia festivals or events that were highlighted in their work?
How has the documentation of cumbia by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky impacted the genre's popularity?
How has the documentation of cumbia by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky impacted the genre's popularity?
How has the documentation of cumbia by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky impacted the genre's popularity?