From food to bop to music, Black influence– from West and Central Africa especially– has shaped many popular Latino traditions. Considering that Latin America received 96% of all African slaves, our impact isn’t surprising.

For the primary day of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is recognized from September 15 to October 15, we’re taking a look at a number of the ways Black and Latino culture have linked up throughout Latin America.

01

Mofongo, a Puerto Rican dish, comes from Angola

02

Mangu, present in the Dominican Republic, is a pounded plantain dish that stems from West African fufu, pictured below on the suitable

03

The word (and dance) cha cha cha originates from Angola

04

The Dominican Republic’s merengue music comes from Senegal and Gambia

05

Argentina’s tango has roots in Congo and Angola

06

Ancestors from Angola and Congo really were popping, because additionally they birthed samba music and dance in Brazil

07

Salsa music and dance in Cuba emerged from Haitian immigrants and enslaved Africans

08

Bachata within the DR has African, indigenous, and Spanish elements

09

Reggaeton fuses Jamaican dancehall, Afro-Panamanian Spanish reggae, and Black American hip hop

10

Cuban Santeria relies on West African religion, which centers around an orisha celebrated amongst Yoruba and Bantu people in Southern Nigeria, Senegal and Guinea Coast

11

Within the Dominican Republic, some practice a mixture of Santeria, Haitian Vodou and Christianity