About BOMBAntillana & how to support

BOMBAntillana, founded by Eli Pabon, is a collective of people of all ages and backgrounds, coming together to connect to ourselves, each other, and our ancestors through the powerful art form of Bomba. Based in Boston, BOMBAntillana explores the deep history of Bomba, learning traditional songs and rhythms, and practicing the art of movement and improvisation to tell our stories.

As one of the oldest living musical traditions of Borikén (Puerto Rico), Bomba reflects the powerful forces of history - shaped by the West African and Taino experiences on the island during Spanish rule and beyond. Created for creative expression, healing, resistance, and even secret escape plans during times of enslavement, Bomba remains a vital tool for personal and communal empowerment. Through Bomba, we release what no longer serves us, making space for the blessings to come.

2025 Highlights (so far)

This year has been yet another significant for BOMBAntillana! We hosted 36 Bomba workshops, delivered dynamic Bomba presentations at 18 festivals, events, and venues, and brought Bomba to 7 school and after-school programs across the region. With continued support from the City of Boston’s Neighborhood Activation Grant and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Better Beaches Grant, our beloved Bomba by the Sea event (2nd year) drew over 200 community members—our largest participation yet! In addition, we brought an abridged version of our Bomba By The Sea event to the UMASS Boston Campus Center Lawn by the ocean with over 100 students participating.

We also launched a joyful new community offering, Birthday Bombasos, bringing Bomba to personal celebrations and expanding our cultural reach in new and meaningful ways. We look forward to 2026 as we plan to include more Birthday Bombasos and to expand our Bomba by the Sea event to become a day long Festival by the ocean!

Looking Ahead to 2026

In 2026, we will deepen our exploration of Bomba by hosting Master Instructors and Elders from the Bomba community in the Diaspora and Puerto Rico, hosting Birthday Bombasos, producing Bomba By The Sea as a festival as well as preparing for and participating in the 14th Encuentro de Tambores in Borikén (Puerto Rico) in March 2026. Since our inception in 2017, BOMBAntillana has expanded access to several living legends in the bomba community, both in Puerto Rico and the U.S. and we’re actively bringing these cultural icons to Boston to lead workshops, masterclasses, and performances. These esteemed teachers have shaped the tradition of Bomba over the past 70 or more years, and their knowledge enriches our collective experience, ensuring Bomba thrives across generations and across the Diaspora and on the island.

BOMBAntillana is heading to Borikėn

We are excited to share that BOMBAntillana will participate in Encuentro de Tambores 2026 in Borikén/Puerto Ricoas part of the Diaspora Delegation—a powerful gathering of nearly 200 Bomba practitioners from across the U.S. This international Encuentro is a vibrant celebration of Bomba, uniting musicians, dancers, and cultural bearers dedicated to preserving and uplifting this rich Afro-Puerto Rican tradition around the world. It serves as a vital space for reinforcing cultural pride, building community solidarity, and creating opportunities for artists to exchange knowledge and passion.

In preparation for this journey, BOMBAntillana members will engage in months of virtual rehearsals and cultural immersion, culminating in one in-person rehearsal before joining fellow Diaspora artists to perform at the Encuentro. This experience not only deepens our connection to Bomba and the island, but also strengthens ties with fellow Bomberxsin the Diaspora.

To help make this transformational opportunity accessible, we are currently raising funds to support BOMBAntillana participants of all ages. Travel, lodging, and meals are not covered, and your support ensures our community can fully participate and return to share this experience throughout Greater Boston and New England.

click here to donate today to help BOMBAntillana's journey to Encuentro De Tambores 2026!

Help us achieve our mission by donating to our End of year fund by clicking here to be redirected to our fiscal sponsors page. BOMBAntillana is fiscally sponsored by Boston Dance Alliance, Inc., a 501(c)(3)nonprofit tax-exempt organization. Contributions in support of BOMBAntillana's work are greatly appreciated and may be made to Boston Dance Alliance, Inc., earmarked for BOMBAntillana. All contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

How You Can Help

Your donation will help bring Bomba Elders and Master teachers from Puerto Rico and the diaspora to Boston, enriching our local community through workshops and performances. Your contribution will also directly support BOMBAntillana participants who need financial assistance to participate in the 13th Annual Encuentro de Tambores in Spring 2025.

Every dollar you donate helps us:

Provide travel and participation support for BOMBAntillana participants attending the Encuentro.
Bring Bomba Masters to Boston to teach, inspire, and elevate our community.
Continue our commitment to cultural preservation and education through free and accessible community programming.

Join us in preserving Bomba and supporting the next generation of practitioners. Your donation ensures that this powerful tradition of healing, resistance, and celebration continues to thrive in Greater Boston.

Click here to donate today through our fiscal sponsor, Boston Dance Alliance

and help us preserve the beautiful art form of Bomba!

In Gratitude, Strength & Solidarity,

BOMBAntillana