Las Bomberas de la Bahia

Puerto Rico is a diverse country. One of the best encapsulations of its unique heritage is Puerto Rican bomba-a style of music that dates back to the 19th century. The music has Spanish, Latin and Taino (the Bahaman natives) influences, and was created by slaves on sugar plantations as a means of communication and distraction. It mixes African and Latin drum beats with a trance-like call and response vocals and performances include dancers. San Francisco's Las Bomberas De La Bahia are the only all-female ensemble in the bay to perform traditional bomba. (Jerry Salas)