Montevideo's La Rueda de Candombe Ends 2024 Season

Every Monday night in Montevideo, Uruguay, hundreds of people converge on public squares to immerse themselves in the rhythmic beats of drums, guitars, and accordions during La Rueda de Candombe, a vibrant musical gathering that has transformed from a casual jam session into a cornerstone of the city's cultural scene.

The event, which draws crowds for its lively performances of candombe, concluded its 2024 season on a recent Sunday at Plaza de España with six musicians leading the final show. Candombe, a genre deeply embedded in Uruguay's national identity, originated from African traditions brought to the region by enslaved people in the 18th century. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, it features three main types of drums: the chico for bass rhythms, the repique for high-pitched calls, and the piano for deeper tones.

La Rueda de Candombe began in the fall of 2024 when Uruguayan producer Caleb Amado and musician Rolo Fernández returned from a trip to Rio de Janeiro inspired by the city's informal music circles known as rodas. Back in Montevideo, they gathered with four other friends to recreate the format around a table, adapting it with...