Celebrating the legacy of the Congo people in Colombia

October 9, 2013

I am in Brazzaville, Congo Republic, to give a lecture about the legacy of Africans in Colombia, specially the heritage of the Congo and Angola people.

Peoples from these areas were brought by the Portuguese to Colombia from 1580 till 1640. One century ahead, during the free trade – plus contraband of slaves – the Dutch, English and Spanish shipped to Cartagena de Indias their ‘valuable cargo’ from Central Africa.

In my lecture ‘Africa (Congo and Angola), its presence and its legacy to the Colombians', I am highlighting that Africa marked the past, makes up the present and appeals to the future of the Afro- Colombians. Despite of the slavery, the long distant between one continent and another - 10,200 miles that separate Africa from Colombia - and the 300 years of time when the boat with Bantu people entered Cartagena de Indias.

Still the ancient knowledge of their ancestors helped to African descendent in Colombia to create their contemporary cultural expressions that currently enrich the National identities and it assembling the treasures of the humanity.

At the event Promotion du Patrimoine Culturel Congolais au Service du Développement Durable” - “The promotion of Congo’s cultural heritage in the sustainable global issue” also the Carnaval de Barranquilla was present. It has been sponsored amongst others by UNESCO, Fespam and the Ministry of Culture of Congo.

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Martha Luz Machado Caicedo-Celebrating the legacy of the Congo people in Colombia

Celebrating the legacy of the Congo people in Colombia