Afrolatinos: The untaught story

Something interesting happens when you hear mentioned Colombia. One either automatically jumps to the stereotypes seen in movies or heard in the news or you think of a person who is fair skinned.  But did you know that in Colombia there are an estimated 20 million afro-descendants? the second largest population of blacks in all of Latin America – second to Brazil?  Colombia was the ONLY country where the crew found a community where it felt as if they had stepped foot onto the continent of Africa – an amazing discovery in Latin America.

The team started the journey in Bogota investigating the political issues.  Finding that Colombia practices what is called Ley 70 (Law 70),  which was passed under the regulations of Article 55 of the Transitional Constitution of 1991.  Formally titled “Law 70 of Colombia (1993):  In Recognition of the Right of Black Colombians to Collectively Own and Occupy their Ancestral Lands”. What does this mean?  Law 70 was established to reaffirm that there in fact exists a black community in Colombia who deserve the same rights as ALL Colombians.

Ley 70 acknowledges these black communities and recognizes them as having their own culture, history, traditions and customs and this law was established to protect these communities and assist them in preserving their history and teaching about Afro-Colombian contributions in school curriculums.  The question remains to be answered - - are these black communities or Afro-Colombians receiving the same rights as the rest of Colombian society? Are the educational systems in Colombia practicing this law?

The producers traveled to Cartagena, which was the first port slaves arrived to in Colombia. Here they had the opportunity to experience a “Pick up” (Known in Jamacia as a Sound System) They went to a Champeta party with Luis Towers, famous Champeta musician, who’s music is a combination of African music Highlife and Soukouss but sung in Spanish. His music connects with people who are suffering, urging them to acknowledge and validate their struggle and to realize that there is always a way OUT.  His music encourages people to celebrate life.  Luis invited the crew to the town where his family lives called Palenque.

The story behind the community formerly named, San Basilio de Palenque, which is also known as "Un rinconcito de África en Colombia" (a small corner of Africa in Colombia) is a very unique place. This town was founded by Benkos Bioho, a Cimarron (a slave who escaped) who fled from his captors and formed a palenque (communities) where slaves joined him to resist the cruelty of the Spanish crown. Benkos escaped from his master in 1599.

Cimarrones were very strategic and they were difficult to conquer in battle. They fought for years and finally after defeating the Spanish they agreed to let Benkos keep their land.  However, the Spanish crown breaks the peace treaty in 1605 betraying Benkos and he is beheaded. However, the Guerra (battle) continued- they never stopped fighting for freedom. 400 years later the language is still being preserved.

When the producers arrived to San Basilio de Palenque the community did not immediately trust them.  The community feared they would be exploited.  This theme of exploitation would follow the crew as it is a common problem throughout Latin America, where as outsiders come to their towns under the guise of simply recording, then leaving and turning a profit on performances shot on film.  And these other production companies give nothing back to these communities.

The team wanted to earn their trust.  Its about giving back – and that’s what they did.  They held classes and spoke with the children about how to prepare for the future offering them workshops on writing and production. The experience of living in this community for them was one of the most memorable and enjoyable moments on the journey. However, the question of poverty and how government is responding to the needs of this community remains unanswered.

They spent over two weeks with the community and saw poor living conditions (houses made of wood, without roofing, poor hygiene for lack of water, no sewage system) at the same time they were left to consider—that the living conditions that they may consider bad - - are not bad to THEM.  There is this thought that because the team is from the U.S. that they live well – that they somehow live better - - but according to who’s standard of living? How are we measuring quality of life?

Visiting Palenque opened their eyes… here they had the opportunity to live in a community where everything is preserved.  There is a higher value on things other than the material.  They value their traditions, their family, their blessings, their religion, their music, their history, and their dance.  They value the food they eat - - they value love they share with others.  Coming from the U.S. where things often are disposable—not as appreciated. Yes, San Basilio de Palenque need things… they need water, books, more people coming out to visit, audio visual equipment, sewage systems, paved streets, electricity - - but they DO LIVE well. They are LIVING and celebrating life everyday.

The producers visited Chocó with Afro-Colombian hip-hop group ChocQuitown.  The crew produced a music video for the group called “Oro” which talks about the exploitation of gold in Chocó. This video shows the reality of the outsiders who come into these areas to set up companies that are digging up gold and removing it from Colombia. The military is paid for protection of these mines and the Afro-Colombian men and women are used for labor. The average pay for working all day at a mine is low and these communities are left with nothing.

The state of Chocó is one of the many places that are in conflict with the guerillas. This conflict has created a large population of people who have been displaced because of violence. 1.8 million people have been displaced by violence in Colombia, migrating to Bogota, Cali and other areas. What is the future of Chocó?  What happens to these people?

The team visited the city of Quibdo and the town of Condoto.  Here they found that these communities have held onto their roots and that there is a balance of African and Latino cultures. The state of Chocó is the most ignored area in ALL of Colombia. Chocó has highest population of Afro descendents. Chocó also has a huge natural resource outlet, but the people from these communities are not benefiting from these resources.  The Afro Chocuano is the worker and profits nothing.

The team found that the education system in Quibdo was quite advanced and impressive, yet there are no jobs available. The local businesses are owned and operated by Paisas (meztiso from Antoquia). These non Afro-Colombians who are benefiting from materials produced in these areas are associated with the Paramilitares (Guerillas) and these people have a lot of money and a lot of power.

If a black Chocuano wants to open a local business in his community he is threatened with violence and eventually pushed away. There is little hope to become an entrepreneur in Chocó as a black person. The roads are un-drivable, the week before our producers arrived to Quibo, over 30 people were killed on a bus that was driving on one of those roads. There has been money sent to fix issues such as: lack of sewage systems, bridges and the roads that are incredibly dangerous, but the truth of the matter is that there is a lot of corruption and many officials steal the funds that have been provided. And all of this affects the Afrochocuano community.

The team also visited the town of Guacoche close to Valledupar and met with students who talked about racism and discrimination.  When asked if they knew about their African roots, two young Afro-Colombian girls responded, “somos Afro colombiana. Tenemos claro quien somos… nosotros somos negras” (we are Afro-Colombian – we are very clear about who WE ARE.  We are black!)  The message received from Eliana Marcela and Maria Jose was very clear… there is no confusion about who they are, where they come from and where they are headed. These are our modern day cimarrones. 

The producers had the privilege of meeting with Juan de Dios Mosquera, author of the book titled, “La Población Afro-Colombiana” who is working daily to ensure that the contributions of Afros in Colombia be recognized.  He is changing the way the colombian goverment views Afro-Colombians. An activist and leader at the forefront of a movement that is changing the lives of Afro-Colombians.

Over all Colombia is a lot more advanced than other countries.  There are many  Afro-leaders and organizations working on Afro-Colombian issues.  The team is very proud of the work being done in Colombia where by law, they celebrate the National Day of the Afro-Colombian and Afro-Colombian Week in May.

Colombia serves as a model for other countries looking to begin organizing. The nation has begun to take notice of its people of African descent and the valuable contribution that they have made in building its nation.

The dance group of PALENKE is one of the most popular groups that dance Afrocolombian and African dances. This is a press kit of the group that shows what they do. In 2010 Renzo Devia will be directing a theatrical performance called DIASPORA, the African Diaspora in Colombia told through dance. http://www.creadorpictures.tv/managment_palenke_es.html

Chocquibtown is the most popular Afrocolombian urban group in the entire country. They were nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2009 and they tour all over the world. The bands helps the Afrolatinos team in many ways, we in returned produced the music video “Oro”. Oro means gold and the song is about the exploitation in Afro towns of their land. www.chocquibtown.com

Najle Silva Arana is a Colombian photographer that is also covering Afros in Colombia. This is a short portfolio of his work.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/najlesilva/4074012890/
http://najlesilvafoto.weebly.com/africolombia.html

This commercial is an anti racial discrimination spot produced by Renzo Devia and Creador Pictures. It is part of a campaign to educate on racial discrimination.

This music video is of Luis Towers, a very famous Champeta artist. He has helped the team of AfroLatinos and Renzo Directed the music video. This also has images of San Basilio de Palenque, a piece of Africa in Colombia.

Zarakua is a group in Bogota that dances African and Afrocolombian dances.