Afro-Cuban music is a genre of music that combines African and Cuban musical styles. It originated in the 19th century when African slaves were brought to Cuba and their musical traditions blended with those of the Cuban people. The two main instruments used in AFRO-Cuban music are the CONGA and the clave. The CONGA is a tall, single-headed drum that is played with sticks, while the clave is a pair of wooden sticks that are struck together to create a rhythmic pattern. Both instruments are essential to the sound of AFRO-Cuban music.