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Celebrating Black History Month! |
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There are about 200 million African descendants in Latin America. African culture has had so much influence throughout the history of Latin America. One example is in the Dominican Republic. This month the country celebrates Carnival. This tradition goes back to 1510 when the Spanish conquistadores brought the festival to the island. Over time through the influence of Taino & African cultures, the festival transformed. Every Sunday towns & city streets explode with a myriad of colors and festivities. Traditional garments reminiscent of Taino & African clothing are handwoven, people dress up as Diablo Cojuelos and tell stories of old folklore. Today’s Carnival reflects the mixed heritage of Dominican people and it is just one example of many African influences in Latin America! |
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So let’s celebrate Black History Month by showing all the love to our Afro-Latinx friends & family. We’ve compiled a shortlist of Afro-Latinx folk you should know about, videos on Afro Latinidad, and more! |
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Afro-Latinx Pioneers |
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Victoria Santa Cruz (Peru, 1922 - 2014) She is referred to as “the mother of Afro-Peruvian dance and theatre.”Victoria Santa Cruz was born in Lima and founded the dance company Teatro y Danzas Negras del Perú. Her poem “Me Gritaron Negra” has gone viral over the past couple of years. |
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Virginia Brindis de Salas (Uruguay, 1908-1958)Virginia Brindis de Salas was the first published black woman writer in Uruguay. She was Uruguay’s leading black poet. She was an active contributor to the black artistic journal Nuestra Raza and her work made her, along with fellow Afro-Uruguayan Pilar Barrios, one of the few published Uruguayan women poets. |
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Piri Thomas (Harlem, 1928 - 2011) Down These Mean Streets, a memoir written by author Piri Thomas, is a noteworthy work on Afro Latinidad in the United States. Discussing the racism, identity issues and poverty he experienced during his lifetime growing in Spanish Harlem in NYC, the Cuban-Puerto Rican poet created a piece of literature that shone a light on his own community. |
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Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (Puerto Rico, 1874 - 1938) Arturo was a historian who raised a significant amount of awareness for the African Diaspora. He became an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He also joined the Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico and co-founded the Negro Society for Historical Research, which united African, Caribbean, and African-American scholars. |
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Celia Cruz (Cuba, 1925 - 2003) She was a Cuban American singer popularly known as the "Queen of Salsa." She is still one of the best-known Latin artists and one of the most famous Afro-Latinas in the world. |
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Resources |
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