Esperanza: African Presence in Mexico

Hi Emilie
Yes, the port of Veracruz, being the first entry of the SPaniards into Mexico, was a natural jumping off point for African customs because of the slaves that were brought here from Africa through Cuba and South America.
THere are even towns in Veracruz where much of the population are very dark skinned, such as Mandinga, which was a town founded by a freed slave. I am thinking he was probably a Mandinka, from the Gambia area of Africa. My theory, at least.
San Lorenzo de los Negros is a famous case of this type. In 1570 around the area of Cordoba and Orizaba, Veracruz, a slave revolt was led by an African slave named Yanga (sometimes known as Nanga). Unsuccessful in defeating him, Spanish authorities finally negotiated their demands. The community he founded, once called San Lorenzo de los Negros, was actually moved several times, but in 1655 it was settled in its current location and in 1932, the town was renamed Yanga in the slave's honor.
Other towns with heavy African populations were Coyolillo and Mata Clara.
John

Emilie Garcia wrote:
Of course you are not crossing any line, John. Your message is quite appropriate here, since most of us are just becoming aware of the Africans that came to Mexico. I have found several "mulato" people in my father's lines even in Zacatecas, something that would have floored my father who was so prejudiced against blacks. I did know about the African influence in Cuban music and perhaps in Puerto Rico, but I never knew about the coastal music from Vera Cruz. That is so interesting; glad you shared that with us.

Emilie Garcia
Port Orchard, WA ----
----- Original Message -----
From: john robles
To: general@nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 6:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Esperanza: African Presence in Mexico

That is a subject that interests me, as although I have never mentioned it here before, I play arpa jarocha, the folk harp from Veracruz, Mexico, and the music from that region, the son jarocho, has a heavy African influence in the rhythm, certainly, but most pointedly in the singing style. Traditional son jarocho consists of call and response singing, that is, the lead singer (pregonero) sings a verse and the chorus (coro) repeats it. That is a direct influence from the African slaves who, while loading and unloading ships in the ports of Veracruz, sang in the same style. The 'foreman' would sing a verse (in an African language, undoubtedly) and the chorus would repeate it back. THis same style is still used all over Africa. It is believed much of the influence in jarocho came from Senegalese and western coast Africans.
Just a little Mexican musical history lesson for you...if you are interested in this music, you can refer to my two sites, www.elsondelpueblo.com or www.gruposolymar.net. The first site has musical samples if you click on the icon of the CD.
I don't mean for this to be a commercial for my music, but I want to share some of the living African influence in Mexican musica with you all. Hope I am not crossing the line here!!
John Robles

Latina1955@aol.com wrote:
Hi Joseph,

This group is close to my heart....and so I will share with you, as you have
shared with us whatever I can...including possible interview
opportunities....I have listened to the podcasts you have shared regarding the African
presence in Mexico --- fascinating---- goes to show you that when I was first
interested in this topic during my undergraduate studies, I should have pursued
it --- instead I became a History generalist. As you know, I have traveled to
Ghana Africa under a Fullbright, and now to be part of this continuum really
brings back to the forefront a disclosure of the many parts of who we are as
a people...much like our interest in genealogy.....In the end, I think we
all are seekers of the truth....

Esperanza
Chicagoland area