@jordansalama19

An elderly woman tells me that she first began dancing chandé when she was 8 years old. She learned from her grandparents. Her family, for as long as anyone can remember, has lived in Tierra Firme, a small area of land across the river from Mompox, part of the vast wetlands of the Río Magdalena. When I ask the woman why she still dances now, she says simply: “Alegría.” Happiness. She points to her 4-year-old granddaughter beside her, who learned to dance from her grandmother too. Now they do it side-by-side. Los tambores de Tierra Firme, August 2022. @natgeointhefield #onassignment