While in Puerto Rico I had the pleasure to see an amazing Bomba performance. It was very powerful to watch and I then realized it was more than just a dance. It’s a living dialogue between the drummer and dancer, born from the resistance and resilience of enslaved Africans in Puerto Rico. Each skirt twirl and foot strike is a conversation, a challenge, a celebration of life and identity.

Showing these images in black and white was a great way to strip it back to the essentials: rhythm, emotion, and connection. It just felt like the right way to honor something timeless. Centuries later, Bomba continues to shape Puerto Rico’s dance culture and is proudly carried forward by new generations. It’s a symbol of their roots, struggle, and unbreakable spirit.