Chango Foundation group to perform Columbian Marimba songs
Chango Foundation will offer Vietnamese audiences a Colombian folk traditional music performance on May 4 in a collaborative programme by the Embassy of Colombia in Vietnam and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Founded in 2004, Chango (Fundacion de Masica del Pacifico Chango) was named after the African god of fire, thunder and holy drums. It aims to preserve, strengthen and spread traditional music from Colombia’s South Pacific Coast.
The group’s music, which includes pango, patacore and caramba, among many other genres, reflects the unique cultural makeup of the region, including its African influence.
![]() |
The troupe will visit within the framework of the cultural diplomacy programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. This initiative aims to promote sport and culture as a tool to build peace, reconciliation, inclusion, peaceful coexistence and intercultural dialogue within children and adolescents that have been affected by violence.
"This is a unique opportunity to experience culture and music from the Colombian Pacific Coast," Nguyen Thi Thanh of the Columbian Embassy said.
“The Colombian government understands culture as an effective means to educate people, promote wellness and generate social processes," Thanh said. "They encourage expectations and healthy lifestyles in younger generations.”
Marimba music from Colombia’s Pacific Coast is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This kind of music has long been iconic for the mainly Afro-descendant communities living in the coastal jungle region.
The most common Marimba music style from the Pacific is currulao, an acoustic genre used in social gatherings that has made its way to the world music stage, thanks to its beautifully hypnotic chants, Marimba melodies and rhythms.
The performance will take place at the Cong Nhan (Workers) Theatre, 42 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi. The troupe will also perform during the 2016 Hue Festival.
