Ecuador: Afro-descendants on the march

Audio 48:30

By: Céline Develay Mazurelle

This week, we are traveling on a long, winding path, very far from tourist trails: that of Afro-Ecuadorians for the recognition of their rights, their culture and their identity. Since its independence in 1822, this small Latin American country has displayed great cultural diversity, just like its continent. (Replay of May 26, 2018).

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Among its 16 million inhabitants: natives, mestizos, Afros or descendants of Spanish settlers, the black minority represents barely 8% of the total population. Very long victim of racism, discrimination or even oblivion, this descending community of slaves, mobilizes and revives its history and its black heroes, freed and rebel slaves.

Beyond the big cities of Quito or Guayaquil, Afro-Ecuadorians historically live in two so-called “ ancestral ” territories: the Chota valley and the province of Esmeraldas.

From the " Black Andes " to the North Pacific Coast, follow us to meet peasants, students, artists and intellectual activists who are proud to be black and proud of their still little-known history.

Indeed, who knows that on the lands of Ecuador, a black " Republic " was born in the 16th century? Who also knows that cities there are called Africa or Nigeria? Who knows finally that during Carnival, every year in February, an Afro festival fever for 3 days the city of Esmeraldas ?! A report by Déborah Gros.

Find out more:

- The Esro and Esmeraldas Afro Music and Dance Festival is held every year in February during Carnival.

- In the Chota valley, there are still few tourist initiatives linked to the black community. Note the “Mascarilla Black Community” which seeks to develop ethno-tourism. A specialized French agency offers an immersion circuit in the Ecuadorian jungle with a time precisely in Mascarilla.

To have :

- The long-term photographic work of Philippe Guionie and his Africa America series. For several years, the French photographer has traveled the Andes, from Venezuela to Bolivia, to meet Afro-descendant communities.

- The documentary projects led by the French and Ecuadorians Matias Saltos, Florian Michel and François Mas with Ecuador? mi poder en la constitution et des Français Pierre Carles and Nina Faure We come back from afar. Operation Corréa 2 , to learn more about the recent political context and the ten years of “ Citizen Revolution ” of President Correa (2007-2017). It was during this period, under the influence of advances in Colombia, that Afro-Ecuadorians obtained the same rights as the natives, notably through the country's new Constitution of 2008.

To read :

- “ Afro-descendants: civil society and social mobilization in Ecuador ” , an article by John Anton Sanchez, doctor in Social Sciences and teacher at the Institute of High National and Afro-Ecuadorian Studies. To better understand the struggle of Afro-Ecuadorians for their recognition over the past twenty years (in Spanish).

- The Encyclopedia of Afro-Ecuadorian knowledge , developed by the Vicariate Apostolic of Esmeraldas and the IFA, Afro-Ecuadorian Cultural Center. In order to have a global vision of Afro-Ecuadorian history, traditions and culture (in Spanish).

To listen to :

- The musical project De Taitas y de Mamas (the grandfathers and grandmothers of music) which made it possible to highlight a musical heritage forgotten in Ecuador. 6 great voices make up this compilation, including the afros Tres Marías, Papá Roncón and Don Naza.

- Río Mira, a group of Afro-Colombian and Afro-Ecuadorian musicians. Their singer Karla Kanora is one of the rare Afro-Ecuadorian women present on the public scene.

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Afro-Ecuadorians demonstrate for their rights in Quito