Candombe in Uruguay

In this section we will take a closer look at Candombe music, an integral part of national culture in Uruguay. Although Candombe is performed throughout Uruguay, especially along the River Plate coastline, we will mainly focus on its development in Montevideo since the most significant Afro-Uruguayan population lives in the capital and it is the main stage for the carnival in Uruguay.

First, we will introduce the origin and history of Candombe within the African and Afro-Uruguayan communities and the way it has evolved into the Candombe of today. Then we will discuss its contemporary form and its role in Montevideo's society. In closing we will explain the characteristics and traits of Candombe music and give examples for better understanding. It is our aim to display the development of Candombe music and dance from its beginnings as an African cultural tradition into today’s form, which is considered the native music of Uruguay. Candombe as a cultural form provides a way for Afro-Uruguayan history and culture to be included in the national narrative from which they have generally been excluded. In recent years there has been more attention in regard to the Afro-Uruguayan community within an academic context, as well as in government work. Within this context the influence of Candombe and its meaning to Afro-descendants has not been negated, but rather highlighted. We want to critically examine if these outside factors contribute to the maintenance of the African cultural heritage. For clarity, throughout our text we will employ the original terms and names in Spanish, and provide English explanations where necessary. You can find additional information on our Glossary where needed.