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On day three of their visit to Colombia, Prince Harry and Meghan visited the town of Palenque in northern Colombia. Here they had the opportunity to see firsthand how cultural traditions are being kept alive. One of their stops was at Esqua Tambores de Cabildo, a drum school located on the beach in Palenque.
Esqua Tambores de Cabildo is dedicated to preserving the cultural drumming traditions of the region. The school offers a range of programs that go beyond just drumming. The children who attend, between the ages of 6 to 18, are considered the best drummers in Palenque. This school has served as a beacon of hope and cultural preservation for the local community for 14 years.
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Photos and videos from Harry and Meghan's visit show them fully engaged and enjoying the experience. In one video, Meghan can be seen dancing along and clearly having a wonderful time. You can see the kids were excited and proud to share their culture and performances with the royal visitors.
For their next stop, Harry and Meghan arrived at the Plaza de San Basilio del Palenque in the town of Palenque. As they arrived, they were warmly welcomed by dancers, drummers and singers. Videos of their entrance show the large crowd cheering excitedly as Harry and Meghan walked in, hand in hand. They both looked perfectly stylish yet comfortable in matching white outfits. Harry wore a sky blue shirt while Meghan looked stunning in a flowy sky blue top.
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Some historical context helps explain the significance of this visit to Palenque. The town has a population of around 3,500 people and was founded in the 17th century by runaway slaves. Many cultural traditions with African roots are still practiced today. Most notably, Palenque is home to the distinctive Palenquero language and a unique blend of African, Spanish and indigenous influences in its cuisine, music, dance and crafts.
During the transatlantic slave trade, many enslaved Africans were brought to work in Colombia under brutal conditions on plantations, mines and other industries. Young women and strong men fetched higher prices. The long and treacherous middle passage took a terrible toll, with many captives succumbing to disease, malnutrition or mistreatment before even reaching land.
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It was in this oppressive context that Benkos Biohó, born in modern-day Guinea-Bissau, emerged as a leader. In the late 16th century, he organized an escape and rebellion of enslaved peoples. This led to the establishment of the free African town of San Basilio de Palenque, the first of its kind in the Americas. Over time, the term "Palenque" came to refer both to the settlement and the concept of a safe haven village in the woods.
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Today in Palenque, drumming is about much more than just music. The drums represent freedom and the means by which enslaved Africans once communicated and coordinated acts of resistance. This proud cultural tradition welcomed Harry and Meghan on their visit. Videos show joyous drummers, singers and dancers greeting the royal couple in the same way their ancestors rallied to liberate themselves from oppression.
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Harry and Meghan's trip to Colombia has shone a light on the country's rich cultural heritage. In Palenque especially, one sees the ingenuity and perseverance of ancestors who managed to preserve so much of their ancestral African roots despite immense hardship. Their strong cultural legacy continues as the next generation proudly carries on traditions like drumming and language. Both Harry and Meghan seemed genuinely interested and engaged learners. Visits like this one can only help promote greater awareness and appreciation for Colombia's diversity locally and globally.
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