Cuban Rumba Master Papo Angarica Dies in Havana

Papo Angarica, an icon of Cuban rumba passed away July 20th in Havana of respiratory failure caused by chronic renal failure.

Mario Diaz Angarica was until his death the director of the Son Yoruba ensemble and worked as a consultant to several folk groups from Cuba and Latin America.

Born in Havana on July 18, 1942, Angarica learned much from his father, Nicolas Angarica Matanzas, who gave him his first drum at four years of age.

Papo Angarica had a long career that included teaching new generations about the foundations of the Yoruba religion, through its songs and ritual drumming.

As a percussionist, he is recognized as one of the leading artists who used African rhythms in Cuban popular music. His most significant achievements is the album Lozun Osun.