Cultural Afro-Latinx Celebration

Exploring the Riches of Afro-Latinx Culture during Four Days of Celebration

Over an exhilarating four-day period, we delved into a vibrant celebration of the rich Afro-Latinx heritage, exploring history, tradition, food, music, and dance. This transformative event became a feast for the senses and a compelling reminder of the connections shared by diverse Afro-descendant communities in Latin America.

The event commenced in Obra Collective Gallery at the VAPA Center with a striking panel featuring representatives from different countries, providing a condensed immersion into the history and traditions passed down through generations. We discovered the astonishing similarities our African ancestors bequeathed, weaving a cultural fabric that binds various nations.

The second day erupted in joy at the Mint Museum, where representatives from Uruguay, Venezuela, and the Garífuna nation took the audience on a fascinating journey through music and dance, showcasing the blending and religious syncretism inherent in extensive multiculturalism. La Casa de la Cultura/The Culture House, in collaboration with the Mint, fostered this cultural encounter, filling us with contagious rhythms such as the Uruguayan candombe presented by Candombe Forever Miami. The active presentation of punta dance, symbolizing fertility for this culture, and Jankunu, an ancestral war dance performed by Bodoma Garífuna, had the audience dancing. The "Cultural Afro-Latinx Celebration" concluded with the Venezuelan group Tambores Bombayá, symbolizing the heritage that uplifts and liberates through a powerful representation of a enslaved man breaking chains with the drum's spiritual connection.

Saturday was filled with interactive workshops, allowing participants to further immerse themselves in Afro-descendant cultural roots, represented by genres like Uruguayan candombe, Puerto Rican Bomba, Venezuelan Tambor Redondo or Culo e’ Puya, Garifuna Punta and Jankunu, and a captivating round of capoeira led by Juan Pablo Blanco from NC Brazilian Arts Project.

Saturday session concluded in the Charlotte Museum Of History with the vibrant "Guateke," a celebration bringing together cultural representatives from Colombia, Peru, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela, Honduras (Garífuna Nation), and Rumbao Latin Dance. Cultural promoters showcased a fascinating spectacle, revealing a unique diversity of music and dance reflecting the varied Afro-descendant regions in Latin America.

Sunday wrapped up the celebration with percussion workshops by Tambores Bombayá and dance presentations by Moving Spirit from Brazil and the USA, allowing participants to further delve into the artistic expressions that pulse through Afro-Latinx culture. The event concluded with a documentary screening called "Daughter of the Sea," presented by @cinecasual.

After four days of celebration, La Casa de la Cultura, already thrilled, announced that preparations for the next year have begun, promising another unforgettable experience. From the historical outset to the multicultural vibrancy of Guateke and the inspiring workshops, these four days left us hungry for knowledge and with a burning desire to explore the Afro roots in every corner of the continent. The closure, featuring the passionate short film by Cine Casual, encapsulated the essence of the celebration, leaving us eager for the next installment of this fascinating event. Stay tuned to @lacasade_lacultura's social media to continue discovering the wonders of Afro-Latinx culture in the upcoming chapter of this extraordinary celebration.