The African roots of Bomba, a traditional Puerto Rican dance and musical genre

As the nation commemorates Black History Month, Afro-Puerto Ricans are using their traditional dance and music — Bomba — to pay tribute to their ancestors who were enslaved on the island.

“Bomba is not only a genre, it’s kind of a lifestyle.” said bomba dancer Osiris Santiago.

Enslaved West Africans were forced to go to Puerto Rico by the Spaniards during the 1500s. By 1530, over half of the Spanish territory’s population hailed from Africa. The number of slaves who went to the island continued to grow for centuries.

“Bomba is what our black ancestors from the islands … created to express themselves,” said Santiago.

…..Hugo Viera-Vargas is a professor of Caribbean/Latin American and music studies. He speaks to ABC News about the African roots of the Puerto Rican dance Bomba.

Watch the entire story and dance video here.