The Afro-Latin Diaspora
Awakening Ancestral Memory, Avoiding Cultural Amnesia
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Yanga, known as the Black King, was born in 1564 into the Yanga Bana tribe of Africa. As a child, he was captured and made prisoner by an enemy tribe. Some time later, he was sold to slave-traders who sold him in present day Mexico. Yanga took advantage of the first opportunity to escape; he fled to the mountains of Vera Cruz.
In the palenques of Vera Cruz, Yanga’s leadership was accepted by all due to his authoritative character, wisdom, and capacity. Yanga founded the village of San Lorenzo de Los Negros.
Most likely Yanga did not expect to be a victim of treason, but he was. Yanga was executed along with his closest companion on Easter Day, 1612.
African slaves did not accept their enslavement as “normal”. The desire to be free lived hidden in their souls, and they never lost an opportunity to escape to the tropical forests or mountains.
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About the Book
This book is Jameelah's contribution to avoiding Afro-Latin American cultural and historical amnesia. This book highlights the many contributions of these forgotten people of Latin America, including African and Afro-Latin American heroes and freedom-fighters, religious and cultural traditions, and current social issues of ethnic and cultural identity.
About the Author
Jameelah Xochitl Medina officially began her research of the Afro-Latin American community after competing for and winning one of three International Research Grants awarded by her college in 1997; her research led her to the Caribbean Coast of Panama for the summer. In 1999, Jameelah graduated Cum Laude from Claremont McKenna College (in Claremont, California) with a BA in Spanish. In 2001, she received her Master's in Education from Claremont Graduate University, also in the city of Claremont, California. From 1997 to 1998, Jameelah also studied Latin American and Spanish Literature at the University of Barcelona (UB) in Barcelona, Spain.