On Colombia’s northwest coast you’ll find a village settled by African slaves hundreds of years ago. Today, much of their original language remains in a Spanish dialect known as Palenquero – a dialect only a few thousand understand.   It’s woven into its well-known musical traditions.  

Edwin Valdez is making sure centuries of music and African culture live on. Valdez is a native of the town Palenque. He is also the director of a school called “Batata” that teaches the music and dance of his hometown.

The people of Palenque are also talented chefs.  In 2014 their cookbook was named “Best Cookbook in the World” at the Gourmand World Awards in China.

Take a look at this week’s Urban Voice on “Americas Now,” Edwin Valdez, produced with the help of Colombia’s Ministry of Culture.