The news was marked this weekend by a lively celebration in Paraguay, mixing dance, percussion and magnificent traditional outfits. The country’s Afro-descendants kicked off their celebration of Saint Balthazar Day, an annual event that provides a special opportunity for Paraguayans of African descent to stay connected to their African roots.
Juan Medina, percussionist of the Kamba Cua ballet group, says he grew up listening to the rhythms of the drums, nourishing in him a passion “for the art transmitted by my ancestors”.
“It’s something really extraordinary for us. We pay homage to our ancestors from Africa, we honor them every January 6 and we gather with our friends to celebrate together,” explains Benito Medina, the director of the Kamba ballet. Cua de Lazaro Medina.
He adds that the Kamba Cua party, which means “black” in Guaraní, is a meeting of Afro-descendants where friends from other communities come together to spend a magical evening together.
For some Afro-descendants in Paraguay, their roots in the country date back to 1820, when Africans from the Kamba ethnic group arrived in the region with Artigas’ army.
The Kamba Cua team takes this opportunity to pay homage to its patron saint, while highlighting its African heritage with panache and jubilation.
“Through Kamba Cua, we express our culture through dance, in the hope that the Paraguayan state will put in place public policies to publicize the great things we accomplish,” adds Juan Medina, percussionist.
Kamba Cua is not just a name, it is also a part of history. The district was entrusted to José Gervasio Artigas during his exile from Uruguay, finding refuge in Paraguay under the protection of José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia.
This annual festival is much more than just a celebration, it is a mission that aims to highlight Afro-Paraguayan culture, giving it the recognition and visibility it deserves.