Batea musical group preserves Nariño's traditional Afro-Colombian rhythms

The musical group Batea, formed in 2022, is working to preserve the ancestral sounds of the southern Pacific coast of Nariño, Colombia. The group fuses traditional Afro-Colombian rhythms—such as the marimba de chonta, cununos, guasás, and bombo—with contemporary genres like salsa and afrobeat.

Comprised of young musicians trained in local institutions like the Changó and Municipal Centro Villa Lola schools, Batea carries forward a cultural legacy recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Their music incorporates traditional elements including currulao, arrullo chants, and alabaos, serving as a creative bridge between ancestral heritage and modern evolution.