For more than three decades, Cuba’s vast cultural traditions have been virtually unknown to North American audiences. For this reason, The Cuban National Folkloric Dance Ensemble will return to American stages after a 15-year absence.

During 53 international tours in 43 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and America, The Cuban National Folkloric Dance Ensemble will appear at Carbondale Satruday night.

Michel Vega, the group’s producer and travel aid, said that due to the strained relations between the United States and Cuba over the past years, it has been hard for the ensemble to visit America.

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It’s very unusual for Cuban groups to go into the U.S. because of the relationship between the two countries, Vega said. It has taken two years for us to prepare to tour America.

Founded in Havana in 1962 by Rogelio Martinez Fure, The Cuban National Folkloric Dance Ensemble is the leading component of Afro-Cuban music/dance traditions and is one of the world’s most prestigious folkloric dance companies.

The ensemble has established an expensive repertoire of more than 70 contemporary and traditional costumes.

The costumes are a combination from different places (in Cuba) designed by troop designers, Vega said. Some are traditional with religious backgrounds, and others are created with more theatricality.

The folkloric dance ensemble plays a wide variety of instruments to coincide with the dance rituals. The bata drums are the most versatile of the percussion instruments, coming from Africa but only seen in Cuba.

They give the most musical possibilities in our country, Vega said. They arrived in Cuba from Yoruba in west Nigeria and are still played in Cuba, predominantly in the provinces of Havana and Matanzas in a traditional form.

The drums are of sacred nature that belong to the divinities of lightning, fire and the virility of dance. The drums have two heads that are played at the same time and are supposed to enclose the music of the storm lords.

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In the repertoire of the Cuban National Folkloric Dance Ensemble, its characteristic manifestations are gathered and created by the Cuban people from diverse sources.

We have music and dances arriving from Europe, mainly from Spain, France and Africa, Vega said. We have national workshops which are geared toward specific interests and additionally, we have an international symposium where from the scientific-theatrical point of view of investigation, titles are programmed and determined for the total analysis and teaching.

The Cuban National Folkloric Dance Ensemble will perform at Shryock Auditorium at 8 p.m.Saturday. General admission is $15.50, students $13.50 and a $4 discount for children 12 and under.