Following the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the Cuban government was heavily involved in African politics, especially in movements against Western imperialism. Fidel Castro sent thousands of aid workers, teachers, and diplomats to develop alliances with independent African nations (Whitmore 125). With an extensive population of Cubans in various African countries, Cuban bands toured the continent. Due to this movement of music and people, Cuban sounds became heavily associated with the subversion of imperialist politics and a reclamation of African identity.