MISTURA // «The Art of Peruvian Zapateo and Afro-Peruvian Percussion Instruments»
In connection with the screening of Mistura, there will be a musical workshop with Peruvian musician and actor Pudy Ballumbrosio, titled “The Art of Peruvian Zapateo and Afro-Peruvian Percussion Instruments.”
Pudy Ballumbrosio is not only one of the stars featured in the film “Mistura”, is a prominent musician, dancer, and graphic designer. He is the son of the late Amador Ballumbrosio, an iconic figure in the preservation of Afro-Peruvian cultural traditions. Together with his family, Pudy co-leads the Centro Cultural Amador Ballumbrosio in El Carmen (Chincha, Peru), a cultural hub dedicated to the preservation, dissemination, and systematization of Afro-Peruvian music and traditions.
The workshop will present Peruvian “zapateo” (foot tapping), an artistic expression of great strength and skill that combines rhythm, elegance, and tradition. Originating on the coast of Peru, this dance involves using the feet as percussion instruments, creating complex rhythmic patterns that interact with the music and other foot tappers. Passed down from generation to generation, zapateo is not only a display of technical skill, but also a form of cultural identity that reflects the mix of Spanish, indigenous, and African influences. Each foot tap expresses energy, pride, and creativity, making zapateo a body language full of history and emotion.
In regards of the Afro-Peruvian percussion instruments that will form part of the workshop, these are the rhythmic soul of coastal music and a living legacy of Africa's roots in Peru. Among the most representative ones that will be featured are the cajón, a symbol of national folklore; the quijada de burro, which produces a vibrant sound when rubbed or struck; and the cajita, a small wooden box that is opened and closed to mark the beat. These instruments have evolved without losing their popular essence. Together they generate a rich variety of rhythms and nuances that accompany dances such as the festejo, the zamacueca, and the landó, keeping the Afro-Peruvian heritage alive through sound and tradition.
