Tonight Mercyhurst University took traditional Bomba from campus to the Erie community as it celebrates Hispanic Heritage month Sept. 15- until Oct. 15.


Bomba Con Buya, a Chicago-based Puerto Rican group, gave a workshop on traditional Bomba music and dance at Mercyhurst's theatre.

Bomba music dates back to the early European colonial period in Puerto Rico and is one of the oldest traditions on the island, said Dr. Alice Edwards, chair of the department of world languages and cultures.

Its roots stem from musical traditions brought by enslaved Africans for whom Bomba music was a source of political and spiritual expression. Mercyhurst university thought it was important to show the community authentic parts of Hispanic culture. 

Bomba Con Buya will be performing again at the Martin Luther King center, 312 chestnut street at 7 p.m. tomorrow (10/08).  It is free and open to the public.