Montevideo parade revives Afro-Uruguayan heritage through music and ritual: Video
The streets of Montevideo’s Sur and Palermo neighbourhoods came alive as residents and performers took part in the San Baltazar Call parade, a traditional celebration linked to Epiphany and deeply rooted in Afro-Uruguayan history.
The annual event draws large crowds and serves as a public affirmation of cultural identity shaped by centuries of African influence in Uruguay.
Dozens of comparsas moved through the streets accompanied by drums and vibrant costumes, dancing to the rhythms of candombe, a musical and dance tradition recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The sound of percussion echoed across the neighbourhoods, transforming public space into a living stage for collective memory and expression.
Participants and organisers emphasised the role of the drum as a symbol of continuity and resistance. Members of the Ansina Tradición comparsa noted that percussion has been central to preserving African heritage since colonial times, when enslaved communities used music as a way to sustain identity and solidarity. Today, that legacy is passed on as a form of education for younger generations.
The celebration also honours San Baltazar, a figure associated with Afro-descendant devotion in the region. His presence reflects the blending of Catholic traditions with African cultural practices that emerged during the colonial period, reinforcing a distinct Afro-Uruguayan identity that remains visible in music, dance and ritual.
The parade traditionally concludes at the House of Afro-Uruguayan Culture in Palermo, a site of remembrance for communities displaced during the 19th century. Organisers describe the event not only as a cultural celebration, but also as a statement of visibility and belonging, linking Uruguay’s past to ongoing efforts across Latin America to recognise and protect Afro-descendant heritage.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
