What is "tumbao"

n. (context music English) The basic rhythm played on the conga drum and the bass in Afro-Cuban music.

In music of Afro-Cuban origin, tumbao is the basic rhythm played on the bass. In North America, the basic conga drum pattern used in popular music is also called tumbao. In the contemporary form of Cuban popular dance music known as timba, piano guajeos are known as tumbaos.