On the Streets of Cuba, Rumba Thrives

In Callejón del Hamel, a street in Cuba lined with art shops and murals, rumba is a way of life. Every Sunday around noon, both locals and tourists gather in the streets to watch, and often partake, in the dance that’s been a Cuban tradition since the 1800s.

On a recent trip to Cuba, we were able to witness the tradition for ourselves. The group in the video above calls itself Rumba Morena. They perform in various places around Cuba but can be found on Callejón del Hamel every Sunday. With the recent uptick in the island’s tourism, the crowds have never been larger. The show is free to watch, and participation is encouraged.