Cuban rumba fuses African drums with Spanish guitars

Cuban rumba masterfully blends intricate African drum patterns with melodic Spanish guitar, creating a vibrant genre pulsing with energy. Born in late 19th-century Havana, it emerged from the cultural exchange between enslaved Africans and Spanish colonizers. African polyrhythms, played on congas and claves, echo West African call-and-response traditions. Meanwhile, the Spanish guitar adds lyrical melodies, often inspired by flamenco.