Although in our country people of African descent represent only 2% of the population, they also celebrate the Afro-Mexican Day of the Dead, although with their own traditions, such as the Danza de los Diablos and the artesa fandango. We tell you more about the rituals that this community carries out to honor their deceased.
Afro-Mexican Day of the Dead on the Costa Chica
While it is true that throughout our territory there are different communities of Afro-Mexicans; These are concentrated mainly in the Costa Chica, between Guerrero and Oaxaca.
Likewise, its origin dates back to the viceregal period, when the slave trade between Spain and its colonies was common. For this reason, many Africans arrived in Mexico by boat, mainly through the ports of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Veracruz.
Already in America, the traditions of the native peoples mixed with those of Europeans and people of African descent; and in the case of the Day of the Dead, the latter added to the ritual the cult of Rujaan African divinity who was asked to end slavery through the Dance of the Devils.
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To learn more: Dance of the Devils: Afro-descendant legacy in Mexico
Artesa’s fandango
This is a dance that is practiced on top of the trough, a wooden platform carved in the shape of one of the animals related to livestock work, be it a horse or a cow. In addition, the dancers are accompanied by a musical ensemble with violin, jarana, guitar and the so-called Peruvian cajon.
Likewise, this community ritual is carried out on important holidays such as weddings, festivities in honor of Santiago Apóstol and of course on the Day of the Dead.
Finally, some scholars have established analogies between the Costa Chica trough with the typical assemblages of the Senegambia region, in West Africa. It should be noted that in the first years of the Conquest, groups of Africans from Senegal and Gambia were brought to Mexico as slaves.
Keep reading: Afro-Mexicans, a forgotten ethnic group