Candombe originated in Montevideo, Uruguay in the middle of the 18th century and was created by African people brought to Uruguay as slaves.

It was their determination to maintain their traditions while adapting to a new life on a strange and new continent that gave birth to this musical style. Originally from regions that are today the countries of Congo, Angola, Nigeria, Mali and Sudan, these slaves were primarily from Bantu tribes. They also included peoples from the Yorubas, Fanti Ashanti, and Mandinga tribes.

Candombe's drumming style is the direct result of the rhythmical exchange of three drums.  In its origins, the slaves used these Candombe rhythms as the musical background for their religious dances and social gatherings.
  

Through the years, Candombe has been disregarded and even persecuted. Today it has an almost magical prestige, and is being validated by becoming one of the most important influences in all of the music composed in Uruguay and the rest of the region.  Until recently, Candombe was the least known of the existing African musical rhythms in the Americas. It was probably also the least likely to survive down through the ages.  Now, however, one can say with confidence that future generations will remember and celebrate the remarkable musical and social value of Candombe.
 
"Afro Uruguayan Rhythms" aims to specifically promote Candombe music and the efforts of regional musicians who desire to expose Candombe to the music world. By joining this musical adventure, both the listener and the viewer will enjoy and learn how to play these constantly evolving African rhythms. Perhaps the most important virtue of Candombe is its voice and the "blood rush" that it generates. This virtue is not found in the rational abstract derived from analizing its rhythms, but by experiencing its waves of heart pounding tempo and beat.

"Afro Uruguayan Rhythms" trascends its original goal of spreading Candombe globally, and intimately reaches the primitive edge of its music and craftmanship. Most importantly, it allows one to hear it, see it and feel it.  It's a total inmersion experience.