pretty, right? but as recently as the 1950s, it was against the law to fly it anywhere in the country. why? because it was a symbol of independence. the ban is gone now. but so is the original flag. the shade of blue was changed to match the good old stars and stripes. but through it all, bomba has survived. [percussive music] it s incredible how, sometimes, culture can disappear. but a few people can bring it back to life. and then, it has a whole new existence. - we lost a lot. - when we talk about bombas, we have the drums. - yeah, yeah. - and they actually have two roles. we have one that keeps the groove going. [percussive music] - we call that. - buleador. - and we also have. he s the one who actually provides notes on the drum. - there s also the. the space where we play, which is batey. - batey, yes. - batey is basically the center of the community. anybody from the community can come learn and play.
- so they re everybody s fighting against each other. - yes. - the 2020 referendum in pr showed 52% of the island for statehood and 47% against it. but despite the different perspectives, there s still a tremendous sense of community in puerto rico. - the day that a hurricane hit us, the day the series of earthquake hit us, we realized that we have the capacity of getting together, sitting down, looking to each other, and realize, you know what? if we re going somewhere, it s because we decided. - yeah. - and puerto ricans, we have passed that moment. there s communities are working in energy, water, participation. it s difficult. this is not something that will happen a day and a week. but if we listen and if we be civilized, the right stories, the ones that really are constructing the new imaginary of of a future puerto rico, that that s what puerto ricans have to decide. i have my position. - right. - i want my country to be an independent country that
and it s easy to see how this community has kept bomba alive. [all singing in spanish] - by continuing to pass it down to future generations. [all singing in spanish] - but it s when you join in that you really start to get it. - [singing in spanish] - with every slap on the drums, you start to feel the heartbeat of this place.
which is batey. - batey, yes. - batey is basically the center of the community. anybody from the community can come learn and play. - right. - it s not - so it s open. it s open to everyone. - yeah, it s very open, batey. - yeah, yeah. - so it s every friday, we play our hearts out and - and so you re going to do that tonight. you re going to play your hearts out. - of course. - we are. we can take you there. - oh, i can t wait. - but i would like to show you some steps so you can - yeah, please. so i don t show up, like, you know - yeah, man. - [chuckles] so you can have some - unarmed. - but ok. let s do it. - if i were to be dancing, i say hello to the drummer. and i would move. - yo, this is totally off the chain. there s a call and response between dancer and drummer. you re not dancing to their beats. the drummer plays the beats that go with your steps. - so he has to keep up with you? - yeah. - exactly. - you re setting the tone of the beat. - i need to be aware of what
actually have two roles. we have one that keeps the groove going. for and we also have primo, he s the one who actually provides the notes on the drums. footage also the space where we play. but that is basically the center of the community. anybody from the community can come and learn and play. it s open to everyone. you can watch the all new episode of leguizamo does america right here next and it is also streaming on peacock, thank you for making time for us into we meet again i m ayman mohyeldin. a new episode of leguizamo does america starts right now. - puerto rico. [speaking spanish] it s just a short flight from the mainland. but you can leave your passport at home.