Afro-Ecuadorians

Last updated
Afro-Ecuadorians
Afroecuatorianos (Spanish)
Danzantes afroecuatorianas.jpg
Afro-Ecuadorian girls in traditional clothing
Total population
569,212 (2022 census) [1]
3.36% of the Ecuadorian population
Mulattoes are considered mixed, not black.
Regions with significant populations
Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, Valle del Chota, Imbabura Province Sucumbíos Province Small minorities live in the U.S., and Spain
Languages
Spanish
Religion
Predominantly Catholicism
Related ethnic groups
Other Afro-Latin Americans

Afro-Ecuadorians (Spanish : Afroecuatorianos), also known as Black Ecuadorians (Spanish : Ecuatorianos Negros), are Ecuadorians of predominantly Sub-Saharan African descent. [2]

Contents

History and background

Los tres mulatos de Esmeraldas (1599) by Sanchez Galque. Los tres mulatos de Esmeraldas (Sanchez Galque).jpg
Los tres mulatos de Esmeraldas (1599) by Sánchez Galque.

Most Afro-Ecuadorians are the descendants of enslaved Africans who were transported by predominantly British slavers to Ecuador from the early 16th century. [3] In 1553, the first enslaved Africans reached Ecuador in Quito when a slave ship heading to Peru was stranded off the Ecuadorian coast. The enslaved Africans escaped and established maroon settlements in Esmeraldas, which became a safe haven as many Africans fleeing slave conditions either escaped to there or were forced to live there. Eventually, they started moving from their traditional homeland and were settling everywhere in Ecuador. [4]

Portrait of a Quito Matron Lady with Her Black Slave (1783) by Vicente Alban. Retrato de una senora principal con su negra esclava por Vicente Alban.jpg
Portrait of a Quito Matron Lady with Her Black Slave (1783) by Vicente Albán.

Racism, on an individual basis and societally are strongly discriminated against by the mestizo and criollo populations. [5] [6] As a result, along with lack of government funding and low social mobility poverty affects their community more so than the white and mestizo population of Ecuador. [7] [8] After slavery was abolished in 1851, Africans became marginalized in Ecuador, dominated by the plantation owners. [9]

A typical street scene in Esmeraldas (2005). EsmeraldasStreetScene.jpg
A typical street scene in Esmeraldas (2005).

Afro-Ecuadorian people and culture are found primarily in the country's northwest coastal region. The majority of the Afro-Ecuadorian population (70%) [10] are found in the province of Esmeraldas and the Valle del Chota in the Imbabura Province, where they are the majority. [11] They can be also found in significant numbers in Guayaquil, and in Ibarra, where in some neighborhoods, they make up a majority. [12] Many Afro-Ecuadorians have participated in sports, for instance playing with the Ecuador national football team, many of whom hail from Valle del Chota. [13]

Culture

Afro-Ecuadorians at a convention to receive cultural recognition, traditional instruments can be seen in the background Afroecuatorianos ofrecen reconocimiento a Canciller (7118962049).jpg
Afro-Ecuadorians at a convention to receive cultural recognition, traditional instruments can be seen in the background

Afro-Ecuadorian culture may be analysed by considering the two main epicenters of historical presence: the province of Esmeraldas, and the Chota Valley. [14] In Ecuador it is often said that Afro Ecuadorians live predominantly in warm places like Esmeraldas. [15] Afro-Ecuadorian culture is a result of the Trans-atlantic slave trade. [11] Their culture and its impact on Ecuador has led to many aspects from West and Central Africa cultures being preserved via ordinary acts of resistance and commerce. [16] Examples of these include the use of polyrhythmic techniques, traditional instruments and dances; along with food ways such as the use of crops brought from Africa, like the Plantain and Pigeon pea, and oral traditions and mythology like La Tunda. [17] [18] [19] [20] When women wear their hair as it grows naturally, it is often associated with poverty, which is why successful or upwardly mobile women tended to straighten their hair. [21]

Music

A typical marimba from Esmeraldas. Esmeraldian (Afro-Ecuadorian) marimba.jpg
A typical marimba from Esmeraldas.

Marimba music is popular from Esmeraldas to the Pacific Region of Colombia. It was considered an Intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2010. [22] It gets its name from the prominent use of marimbas , but is accompanied along with dances, chants, drums and other instruments specific to this region such as the bombo, the cununo and the guasá. [23]

An example of the Cununo in the semi-final round of a championship in Esmeraldas. Semifinal del Campeonato del Encebollado en Esmeraldas 2015 (17468241733).jpg
An example of the Cununo in the semi-final round of a championship in Esmeraldas.

Sometimes this music is played in religious ceremonies, as well as in celebrations and parties. It features call-and-response chanting along with the music. Some of the rhythms associated with it are currulao, bambuco and andarele. [24]

Afro-Ecuadorian style drum from Esmeralda. Esmeraldian (Afro-Ecuadorian) drum 2.jpg
Afro-Ecuadorian style drum from Esmeralda.

On the other hand, in the Chota Valley there is bomba music. It can vary from mid-tempo to a very fast rhythm. It is usually played with guitars, as well as the main local instrument called bomba, which is a drum, along with a guiro, and sometimes bombos and bongos. A variation of it played by la banda mocha, groups who play bomba with a bombo, guiro and plant leaves to give melody. [25]

Religion

The religious practice among Afro-Ecuadorians is usually Catholic. Catholic worship is distinctive in Esmeraldas, and sometimes is done with marimba [26] [27]

Political framework

Dr. Diana Salazar Mendez, Attorney General - Quito (2019) DIANA SALAZAR MENDEZ ANTE FUNCIONARIOS - QUITO 09-04-2019 - 40605702243 (cropped).jpg
Dr. Diana Salazar Méndez, Attorney General - Quito (2019)

Numerous organizations have been established in Ecuador to for Afro-Ecuadorian issues. The Afro-Ecuadorian Development Council (CONDAE). Afro-Ecuadorian Development Corporation (Corporación de Desarrollo Afroecuatoriano, CODAE), institutionalized in 2002, Asociación de Negros Ecuatorianos (ASONE), founded in 1988, Afro-Ecuadorian Institute, founded 1989, the Agustín Delgado Foundation, the Black Community Movement (El Proceso de Comunidades Negras) and The National Confederation of Afro-Ecuadorians (Confederación Nacional Afroecuatoriana, CNA) are amongst some of the institutional frameworks in place in Ecuador. [9] The World Bank has given loans for Afro-Ecuadorian development proposals in Ecuador since 1998, loaning $34 million for related projects between 2003 and 2007, and USAID also monitored the 2006 elections in Ecuador to ensure that Afro-Ecuadorians were not being unfairly underrepresented. [9]

Notable Afro-Ecuadorians

Historical

Politics

Government

Activism

Music

Literature

Sports

Boxing

Judo

Discus

Weightlifting

Sprinting

Football

An Afro-Ecuadorian in the national assembly. Asamblea Nacional abierta a recibir aportes del pueblo afroecuatoriano (4559865196).jpg
An Afro-Ecuadorian in the national assembly.
Semifinal of the Encebollado Championship in Esmeraldas 2015 Semifinal del Campeonato del Encebollado en Esmeraldas 2015 (17901082470).jpg
Semifinal of the Encebollado Championship in Esmeraldas 2015
Semifinal of the Encebollado Championship in Esmeraldas 2015 Semifinal del Campeonato del Encebollado en Esmeraldas 2015 (17900847308).jpg
Semifinal of the Encebollado Championship in Esmeraldas 2015
"Together for our rights" March through the streets of San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas.jpg
"Together for our rights" March through the streets of San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas
Semifinal of the Encebollado Championship in Esmeraldas 2015 Semifinal del Campeonato del Encebollado en Esmeraldas 2015 (18085377982).jpg
Semifinal of the Encebollado Championship in Esmeraldas 2015
Semifinal of the Encebollado Championship in Esmeraldas 2015 Semifinal del Campeonato del Encebollado en Esmeraldas 2015 (18062290356).jpg
Semifinal of the Encebollado Championship in Esmeraldas 2015
Afro-Ecuadorian girls in traditional clothing. Ninos afroecuatorianos - esmeraldas, 15-1-2020.jpg
Afro-Ecuadorian girls in traditional clothing.
An Afro-Ecuadorian artesian vendor. Artesanias afroecuatorianas.jpg
An Afro-Ecuadorian artesian vendor.
Afro-Ecuadorians offer recognition to Foreign Minister. Afroecuatorianos ofrecen reconocimiento a Canciller (6972879930).jpg
Afro-Ecuadorians offer recognition to Foreign Minister.
Afro-Ecuadorians offer recognition to Foreign Minister. Afroecuatorianos ofrecen reconocimiento a Canciller (6972883140).jpg
Afro-Ecuadorians offer recognition to Foreign Minister.
Afro-Ecuadorians offer recognition to Foreign Minister. Afroecuatorianos ofrecen reconocimiento a Canciller (7118960775).jpg
Afro-Ecuadorians offer recognition to Foreign Minister.
Afro-Ecuadorians offer recognition to Foreign Minister. Afroecuatorianos ofrecen reconocimiento a Canciller (7118959097).jpg
Afro-Ecuadorians offer recognition to Foreign Minister.
An Afro-Ecuadorian marimba groups from Esmeraldas Marimba Esmeraldena Group.jpg
An Afro-Ecuadorian marimba groups from Esmeraldas

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Ecuador</span>

Demographic features of the population of Ecuador include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marimba</span> Wooden keyboard percussion instrument

The marimba is a musical instrument in the percussion family that consists of wooden bars that are struck by mallets. Below each bar is a resonator pipe that amplifies particular harmonics of its sound. Compared to the xylophone, the marimba has a lower range. Typically, the bars of a marimba are arranged chromatically, like the keys of a piano. The marimba is a type of idiophone.

The music of Ecuador is a diverse aspect of Ecuadorian culture. Ecuadorian music ranges from indigenous styles such as pasillo to Afro-Ecuadorian styles like bomba to modern indie rock like "Cambio de Tonalidad" by Da Pawn.

<i>Zambo</i> Persons of mixed African and Amerindian ancestry

Zambo or Sambu is a racial term historically used in the Spanish Empire to refer to people of mixed Amerindian and African ancestry. Occasionally in the 21st century, the term is used in the Americas to refer to persons who are of mixed African and Native American ancestry.

Afro–Latin Americans or Black Latin Americans are Latin Americans who claim begin of full or mainly sub-Saharan African ancestry. Biologically, a significant majority of population in each country have african genes.

Ecuador is a multicultural and multiethnic nation, with the majority of its population is descended from a mixture of both European and Amerindian ancestry. The other 10% of Ecuador's population originate east of the Atlantic Ocean, predominantly from Spain, Italy, Lebanon, France and Germany. Around the Esmeraldas and Chota regions, the African influence would be strong among the small population of Afro-Ecuadorians that account for no more than 10%. Close to 80% of Ecuadorians are Roman Catholic, although the indigenous population blend Christian beliefs with ancient indigenous customs. The racial makeup of Ecuador is 70% mestizo, 7% Amerindian, 12% White, and 11% Black.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esmeraldas Province</span> Province of Ecuador

Esmeraldas is a northwestern coastal province of Ecuador. The capital and largest city is Esmeraldas. Esmeraldas is one of the three provinces of Ecuador that borders Colombia, and it is the most northern province in the country. The province borders Imbabura and Carchi to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, Manabí, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas and Pichincha to the south, and Colombia to the north. The province is home to the Afro-Ecuadorian culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chota, Ecuador</span>

The upper valley of the Mira River, called the Chota River in its upstream portion, in northern Ecuador, and the small villages in it are usually referred to as 'El Chota', and it runs east–west between the two ranges of the Andes. It lies in the provinces of Imbabura, Carchi and Esmeraldas. The river and its upper valley are situated about halfway between the equator and the Colombian border. Accessed off Route 35, the nearest major city is Quito, but Ibarra is the major market centre just south of the valley. It is reputed to be where the best soccer players in the country tend to be from.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esmeraldas, Ecuador</span> City in Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Esmeraldas is a coastal city in northwestern Ecuador. It is the seat of the Esmeraldas Canton and capital of the Esmeraldas Province. It has an international sea port and a small airport. Esmeraldas is the major seaport of northwestern Ecuador, and it lies on the Pacific coast at the mouth of the Esmeraldas River. It is the antipodes of Padang, Indonesia. The city is the principal trading hub for the region's agricultural and lumber resources, and is the terminus of the 313-mile (504-km) Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline from the oil fields in northeastern Ecuador.

Bomba or Bomba del Chota is an Afro-Ecuadorian music and dance form from the Chota Valley area of Ecuador in the province of Imbabura and Carchi. Its origins can be traced back to Africa via the middle passage and the use of African slave labor during the country's colonial period. Africans brought to labor as slaves in Ecuador brought with them this music form heavily influenced from the Bantu cultures of the Congo. The people dance in pairs to the drums and use improvisation to build relationships between the dancer and lead drummer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Ayoví</span> Ecuadorian footballer (born 1979)

Walter Orlando Ayoví Corozo is a former Ecuadorian professional footballer who last played for the Monterrey Flash in the Major Arena Soccer League. He previously played as a left winger for Club Deportivo El Nacional in the Ecuadorian league and in the Ecuador national team, primarily in left defense. He is the cousin of fellow footballer Jaime Ayoví, who also plays in the Ecuador national team. He also holds Mexican citizenship.

The Mira River originates in the Andes of Ecuador and flows to the Pacific Ocean in Colombia. For a few kilometers it forms the border between the two countries. The upper course of the Mira is called the Chota River and is notable for its Afro-Ecuadorian inhabitants, its bomba music, and the large number of internationally prominent soccer players it has produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaime Ayoví</span> Ecuadorian footballer (born 1988)

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Nelson Estupiñán Bass (1912–2002) was an Ecuadorian writer. He was born in Súa, a city in the predominantly Afro-Ecuadorian province of Esmeraldas in Ecuador. He was first homeschooled by his mother before traveling to the capital city of Quito where he graduated from Escuela Superior Juan Montalvo with a degree in public accounting in 1932. Bass identified with the Communist Party during this time and in 1934 had the opportunity to publish two of his poems in the socialist diary La Tierra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ecuadorians</span> Citizens of Ecuador

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guillermo Ayoví Erazo</span> Musical artist

Guillermo Ayoví Erazo better known as Papá Roncón was an Afro-Ecuadorian musician, singer, and marimba player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aníbal Chalá</span> Ecuadorian footballer (born 1996)

Aníbal Hernán Chalá Ayoví is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Ecuadorian Serie A club Barcelona SC and the Ecuador national team.

Jessy Teotista Caicedo Ayovi is an Ecuadorian footballer who plays as a defender for Superliga Femenina club Club Ñañas and the Ecuador women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petita Palma</span> Ecuadorian singer (born 1927)

Petita Palma Piñeiros is an Ecuadorian singer who is regarded as a national treasure. Marimba music and traditions from the Ecuadorian province of Esmeraldas are recognised by the UN as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

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