Bogotá - The passing of Totó la Momposina at 85 marks the loss of a dedicated guardian of Colombian musical heritage. Her life was a testament to the importance of preserving and celebrating traditional arts, and her work serves as an example of how cultural pride can strengthen national identity.

Born Sonia Bazanta Vides in 1940 in Talaigua Nuevo, Totó la Momposina's upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for the musical traditions of the Colombian countryside. Her family's legacy of musicianship provided her with a strong foundation in the rhythms and melodies that would define her career.

Her rise to prominence in the late 1960s with Totó La Momposina y Sus Tambores demonstrated her commitment to showcasing authentic Colombian music. While her alleged blacklisting in 1979 due to purported left-leaning political views remains a point of contention, her subsequent travels and performances in France allowed her to share Colombian culture with a wider audience.

During her time abroad, she remained a steadfast ambassador for Colombian traditions, performing for diverse audiences and promoting the unique musical heritage of her homeland. Her participation in Gabriel García Márquez's Nobel Prize delegation in 1982 provided her with a platform to represent Colombian culture on the world stage.

Her partnership with Peter Gabriel's Real World Records in the 1990s further expanded her reach, allowing her to introduce traditional Colombian music to a global audience. Her emphasis on preserving the authenticity of Colombian musical forms, rooted in African and Indigenous traditions, helped maintain the integrity of these cultural expressions.

Totó la Momposina believed in the importance of passing down traditional knowledge to future generations. Her work with younger artists and her willingness to embrace new interpretations of traditional music demonstrated her commitment to ensuring that Colombian musical heritage remains vibrant and relevant.

Her Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Grammys in 2013 and her Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres from the French government in 2016 recognized her contributions to music and culture, but her true legacy lies in her dedication to preserving and promoting the unique cultural heritage of Colombia.

President Gustavo Petro’s tribute to Totó la Momposina as a “luminary of Colombian Caribbean art and culture” underscores the importance of celebrating and supporting artists who uphold national traditions and contribute to the cultural richness of the country. Her passing serves as a reminder of the need to preserve and protect Colombia's unique cultural identity in an increasingly globalized world.