This article portrays the cultural universe of San Basilio de Palenque and highlights the role of the Palenge language as a vehicle of expression and transmission of Afro‐Palenquero cultural heritage. It also shows the importance of the wake as a social space for the strengthening of cultural practices, one of the foremost examples being the Lumbalú. Moreover, the text analyses the social and educational role of kuagro in the different stages of Palenquero life and describes the various musical rhythms that reflect the creativity of the members of this culture. Finally, it outlines the strategies used by the Palenqueros in the process of safeguarding their cultural heritage, and how actions are implemented at a community level for the recovery, use and dissemination of their mother tongue.