In this guide
Kamba Kua is Paraguay's best-known Afro-Paraguayan community, in the northern part of Fernando de la Mora, right next to Asunción (Ministry of Culture (opens in a new tab)). It is not a site with opening hours; it is a neighbourhood where people live. To experience its culture, go in the first half of January, when the community honours San Baltazar with drums, dances and a procession open to the public.
Who are the kamba?
The community identifies as descendants of the Afro-descendant soldiers who came with Uruguayan general José Gervasio Artigas when he took refuge in Paraguay in 1820. Dr. Francia's government settled them where they live today, with plots of land and farming tools (Ministry of Culture (opens in a new tab)). The Guaraní name means "cave of the Black people" (Última Hora, 2019 (opens in a new tab)).
- Land: in the 1940s they lost most of their land (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Organisation: the Kamba Kua Association has existed since 1999 and coordinated the 2006–2007 census of Afro-descendants in the country's three communities (Ministry of Culture (opens in a new tab)).
- Population: that census counted 418 people in 89 households in Kamba Kua; in 2019 the community spoke of about 700 residents (Ministry of Culture (opens in a new tab); Última Hora, 2019 (opens in a new tab)).
The Ministry of Culture notes that the area was once part of a Jesuit estate and that people who had escaped slavery in Brazil also settled nearby, though the community identifies with Artigas's lancers.
Drums, dances and San Baltazar
Dance and drumming are Kamba Kua's signature, and devotion to the Magus San Baltazar brings everyone together each January (Ministry of Culture (opens in a new tab)). What you will see:
- The ballet. The Grupo Tradicional Kamba Cua was formed in 1976; Lázaro Medina, son of Santiago Medina, gave it new life and created the Fiesta Kamba. It now has more than 100 members, drummers and dancers in children's, youth and adult groups (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- The repertoire. Dances such as Santo sapatu, Kuarahy, Tuja'i, Guarimba Galopa, San Baltazar and Pitiki pitiki (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- The colours. Red and yellow, the colours of San Baltazar's cape (Última Hora, 2019 (opens in a new tab)).
- The ritual. On the night of 5 to 6 January, at the Capilla San Baltasar, the community drums and performs its ritual dances; there are six, each with its own meaning, a member told ABC Color (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
When to go: the January festivals
- Fiesta Kamba "Lázaro Vive". In front of the Capilla María Auxiliadora, at Capitán Rivas and 6 de Enero, on a Saturday in early January at 21:00. In 2026 it was on 3 January (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab); ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Night of 5 to 6 January. Drums and ritual dances at the Capilla San Baltasar (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- San Baltazar Festival at Club 6 de Enero. Run by the Grupo Tradicional San Baltazar on a Saturday at 21:00. In 2026 it was on 10 January (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab); La Nación, 2019 (opens in a new tab)). In 2025 entry was G. 40,000, and there was a procession, a craft fair and kishima, made with coconut, cassava and cheese cooked over embers (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
Dates change every year and are announced between Christmas and New Year.
How to visit respectfully
- It is a residential neighbourhood with no visiting hours or guided tours, so do not wander it like a museum outside the festivals.
- The night of 5 to 6 January is religious. Ask before filming or photographing anyone up close.
- Bring cash for entry and the food stalls.
- Festivals start at 21:00 and run late, so arrange your ride back before you leave. Fernando de la Mora is about 6 km from central Asunción along Avenida Eusebio Ayala, and Kamba Kua is in its northern zone (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Paraguay's other Afro-Paraguayan communities
Kamba Kua is not the only one. The 2006–2007 census also covered Kamba Kokue, in Paraguarí, about 60 km south of Asunción, and Emboscada, in Cordillera, about 35 km north (Ministry of Culture (opens in a new tab); Última Hora, 2019 (opens in a new tab)). Los Pardos Libres de Emboscada performed as guests at the 2026 Fiesta Kamba (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
If you are interested in Afro heritage in folk art, Asunción's Museo del Barro displays 19th- and 20th-century Kamba Ra'anga masks, once worn at the San Baltazar festival in Tobatí (Museo del Barro (opens in a new tab)).
FAQ
Where is Kamba Kua?
In the northern part of Fernando de la Mora, a city in Central Department bordering Asunción, about 6 km from the centre along Avenida Eusebio Ayala.
When is the San Baltazar festival in Kamba Kua?
The saint's day is 6 January, with drums and dances at the Capilla San Baltasar the night before. The two festivals fall on nearby Saturdays: 3 and 10 January in 2026.
Where do the kamba come from?
The community identifies as descendants of Afro-descendant soldiers who arrived with José Gervasio Artigas in 1820 and were given land near Asunción by Dr. Francia.
Are there other Afro-Paraguayan communities?
Yes: Kamba Kokue in Paraguarí and Emboscada in Cordillera. All three took part in the 2006–2007 census of Afro-descendants.
