Carlos De Leon

Photographer
 
Dancing in the street
Stories (1)
Location: Montevideo, Uruguay
Nationality: Uruguay
Biography: My name is Carlos De Leon and I'm a photographer based in Uruguay, South America (I travel very often to Argentina and Brazil). I grow up in Argentina and moved to USA, after 6 years living in San Diego, California I returned to Uruguay in 2006.
Public Story
Dancing in the street
Copyright Carlos De Leon 2024
Date of Work Feb 2013 - Ongoing
Updated Nov 2018
Topics Arts, Celebrations, Community, Editorial, Emotion, Energy, Latin America, Lifestyle, Photography, Photojournalism, Still life, Street, Travel
Every austral summer, usually at the beginning of February, Uruguay celebrates "Las llamadas" or "the calls" a street parade of big groups of drummers and dancers who come together to play "Candombe" and dance to the frenetic rhythm of the drums.
"The calls" exist since 1865 and it was recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (along with the "tango"), It is a cultural manifestation originated from the arrival of African slaves at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
The Candombe and its drums are a genuine sample of identity and almost unique character, deeply rooted in our culture, which combines the Afro population of our land and the love for the African roots and rhythms of each and every one of the Orientals (Uruguayans), nowadays it's the most representative dance and musical expression of the Afro-Uruguayan community, it has impregnated itself in such a way in society that it is a registered brand of our culture since it identifies our people equally, without distinction of race or social position.
This essay is a work in constant development that will eventually end when I stop taking pictures.


 Carnavales de Montevideo
Photo collection by deleonphoto
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