The slave trade didn’t only involve the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts; its horrific legacy touched nearly every corner of the Americas, including Peru, where it was practiced until 1845. Descendants of African slaves still live along Peru’s Pacific coast, and their music, rhythms and dances all trace their roots back to West Africa.

When the Spanish sailed to the Americas in the early 1500’s, the African slaves they brought with them became important contributors to the new music of Peru.