Our name, ABAKUÁ Afro-Latin Dance Company, is used with respect for the living tradition of Abakúa societies and their music in Cuba. In Cuba, Abakúa is a mutual aid society with religious aspects, and a style of music and dance that survived decades of slavery and has its roots in the Calabar region of present-day Nigeria. Abakúa drums, songs, and dance are one important type of folkloric music and dance derived from West Africa. Music from West Africa has had a very strong influence on today's popular Latin music and dance. Many of the rhythms heard in popular Latin music and some of the movements seen in popular Latin dance were taken directly from various traditional West African styles, or were influenced by those African styles and developed further in Cuba and other parts of Latin America. For example, the clave rhythms in Salsa and most Latin music, come directly from West Africa. Some of the dance and music came from Yoruba culture (an ethnic group in what is today called Nigeria), and others came from other groups, like the Congolese. But there were also influences from Spain, France, etc., especially in some of the dance movements, and also in the poetry of the songs for Cuban Rumba (which is completely unrelated to ballroom Rhumba).
Source: www.batadrums.com

It is said that Arsenio Rodriguez, a famous Cuban blind tres player, built Mambo from the "Diablo Rhythm" of the Congolese ABAKUÁ religion - taught to him by his grandfather a former slave. He was one of the three pillars of Cuban music (the other two are Beny Moré and Miguel Matamoros). Rodriguez was the architect of the Cuban sound as we know it today. He added drums and more brass to enrich the classic conjunto style in the 40s. After decades of fame, Rodriguez died in obscurity in Los Angeles in 1972. Source: www.pbs.org/buenavista/

During the past 7 years, the ABAKÚA Afro-Latin Dance Company has been driven by a desire to develop Afro-Latin Funk, a term coined by Frankie Martinez to describe the group's unique style of dance, into a recognized performance art, commanding the recognition and respect of other dance genres such as ballet or modern dance. Afro-Latin Funk is a fusion of many different dance forms, its foundation in the mambo, as it evolved in New York City. Afro-Latin Funk encompasses movements from dances that have become tradition in different parts of the Caribbean such as the Bomba and Plena from Puerto Rico, the Rumba and Yoruba-derived dances from Cuba as well as folkloric dancers from Haiti, Martinique and Guadeloupe. It artistically meshes gritty urban feelings with the heart and soul of Africa and the Caribbean to allow for the greatest range of expression and interpretation of the abundant rhythms of New York and Caribbean music. ABAKÚA has taken consistent steps in distinguishing the genre:

o In 2000, Frankie Martinez founded ABAKÚA Latin Dance Company
o In September 2000, ABAKÚA debuts “Libertad” to the world salsa community
o In November 2000, ABAKÚA featured in Off-Broadway Latin Dance revue, “Latin Madness”.
o From 2000-2004, ABAKÚA and Frankie Martinez establish themselves by performing worldwide at Salsa Festivals around the globe. ABAKÚA distinguishes itself with its unique choreography and technical prowess.
o In 2004, ABAKÚA withdraws from performing at Salsa Congress circuit in order to reinvent itself into a dance company presenting theatrical repertoire.
o In February 2005, ABAKÚA present first theatrical showcase, “Raices”.
o In December 2005, premiers second showcase, “After Hour Funk”, as part of one hour theatre showcase at 14th street Y.
o In 2007, ABAKÚA performs its first 2 hour theatrical presentation, premiering “Stills”

Today, this spicy and ethnically diverse group entertains with traditional, cultural and modern dance routines entrancing the audience with their captivating and unique style. Its members consist of the following talented dancers and staff.