Cubans petition UN to make Rumba part of world’s cultural heritage

Cuba

People in Havana are working to preserve the older style of the Latin classic dance Rumba as a part of the world’s cultural heritage.

At this year’s week-long annual Timbalaye Rumba Festival in Havana, the organizers are petitioning the United Nations to have the music and dance form recognized as part of the world’s cultural heritage.

The festival also includes music classes and dance workshops. The roots of Rumba go back to the era of slavery and remains an integral part of Santeria, the Afro religion that’s still widely practiced on the island.

Music and dance are an integral part of life in Cuba, and the Rumba is a core part of that.

CCTV’s Michael Voss reports.