Dating back to the 1500s, Spanish colonizers attempted to strip African culture away from enslaved people. But what happened was the creation of a Mexican region that’s rich in African tradition instead.
Cuajinicuilapa has the biggest Afro-Mexican population in the world, and it’s home to various African traditions, including a dance that was created out of resistance.
Churches under colonial rule prohibited Black people from dancing to their saints or Gods. So the people of Cuajinicuilapa came up with their own way of expressing their spirituality.
Danza de Diablos, Dance of The Devils, was used as a creative expression of resistance, while still respecting African culture. Cuajinicuilapa ended up being a safe haven for escapees from enslavement, and continues to be a town full of African tradition.
African culture has been influential in countries around the world. We should continue to explore our culture, because we are much more powerful when we support and recognize each other. No matter where we are, we belong to each other.