Pedro Fariñas, one of the greats of Cuban rumba, dies

November 19, 2020

The Cuban rumbero Pedro Celestino Fariñas Meneses, better known as the "Prince of Diana," passed away on November 17 in Havana at the age of 77.

The news was revealed in a publication by the Instituto Cubano de la Música, however the cause of the rumbero's death was not specified.

The musician was born on February 27, 1943 in the Havana neighborhood of La Timba. Fariñas was a passionate defender of rumba and was part of several notable groups such as Yoruba Andabo, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Rumboleros, Ecué Tumba and Ventú.

His particular way of singing led him to be recognized and admired by those knowledgeable in the musical genre, in the same way that he recorded his album Fariñas el Rumbero and participated in films such as Yo amo a María, Maldito Solar and ¿Quién baila aquí?.

"His constant presence in the Patio de la Rumba space of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba and in the Peña de la Rumba del Ambia, was of special significance for the public and the artists of these prestigious institutions," reads the publication from the Instituto.

Fariñas's body was laid to rest at the funeral home on Zanja, in the Plaza Revolución municipality, in Havana.

The director of the Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro, Frank Oropesa, lamented the news and indicated through his social networks that music was in mourning at the departure of the rumbero.

"Another great of Rumba has passed away, Pedro Celestino Fariñas 'The Prince of Diana'. Rumbero of stature and fame and Ekoria Enllene Abakua of the Efi Barondi Kama Power, Music is in Mourning. The Rumberos are crying, we have lost a great bulwark and a man who gave all his talent and charisma in defense of Rumba. R.I.P. Abasi mengo kefe ata chiminicaco mañon," he indicated.