Okeyo Jumal; Spiritual Shackles Costa Chica July 2009

On Mexico's Pacific Coast, beginning north at Acapulco and continuing southeast for 200 miles through the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca, is the region known as Costa Chica, the little coast. In this rural, not easily accessible region of the country dotted with agriculture and fishing villages, resides Mexicos most visible African-Mexican or Afromestizo population. Since Mexico only claims a Native and Spanish history, it African ancestry is also known the third or the forgotten root. Im Okeyo Jumal, Here are some of the sites and sounds of my rvisit to Costa Chica.

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People & Blogs

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• Costa Chica
• B Side Players
• Okeyo Jumal
• Spiritual Shackles
• African Mexico
• Veracruz

[Ajamuj]

Beautiful, Brother Jumal! This story definitely deserves to be told. I have for a long time held a curiosity of African blood in Central and South America and along with the history of Mexicans of African decent in Californias history. One of my favorite paintings is, Fandango by Christian Nahl, its in the collection of the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. Youll see Mexicans with African features.

Carol Tillman, sbcc

[Ajamuj]

Jumal,

I enjoyed your youtube piece on Afromestizo Mexicans. I remember a trip to Mexico many years ago when I was surprised to learn there were Mexicans of African descent. Of course, it is logical that there would be with the history of the Caribbean, but nonetheless I was surprised, just as I was to learn of the Ainu people of Japan. The world offer so much to discover, doesn't it?

[Rafa15Jarocho]

@simbakafiri jajajaja we afro-mexicans dont immigrate much in the United States, we rather stay in Mexico because of the racism we see in the United States against color people. We are happy here in Mexico with our culture and traditions that in the U.S we cant do. But you should travel to Guerrero or Veracruz and you will see us there :)

[equalityabby]

We seem as black people to always be at the bottom no matter where we are. No one wants to claim the African part of them. Society makes it so negative. Africans did great things to be proud to claim and the whole world should know it. You ask anyone from Mexico are there black people they say no as if to deny that part, that's a shame.

[SavageBarbarians]

@younghogz1 there is an african population in MEXICO but it dam sure isn't strong. They don't have to inform you, it it was a strong presence you'd know it.

[younghogz1]

@equalityabby Thats not true. My mexican informed me himself that their is a strong black african population in Mexico in certain areas of the country

[boston312]

When i was in Acapulco in 2006 they had just finished building a Afro-Mexico museum that was dedicated to the history of the African presence in Mexico. The Mexican state of Veracruz also has an African presence as well

[thedjfantastic1]

you are probably right not that i know that we are mix with africans but i know this... in my hometown la costa chica todos somos negros, nalgones, y de sangre caliente (black skin,big booty, and hot blooded) i was born in a small village call cruz grande and avery one there is black and i grew up believing it was beacuse our sun and our land is really hot also because we spent most of our time in the beach and we've got sun burn but know i ve realize that is our race its in our blood

[MexxiKing]

the indigeous people never hated the blacks...the indigeous and blacks in mexico fought for there rights agasint the spanish...zapatas army was filled with indigeous and blacks. my great great grandmother from my dads side was black. shalom brothers we are one. from the tribe of issachar

[dimasjm]

im from guererro and i live in l.a now- and i also believed that african blood is in mexico -central and south america and the stories need to be told = thank you

[wolfhomme]

Sabian que Vicente Guerrero era de raizes de africano.

[Alechano]

I am from La Costa Chica. I live in California. We do not say Afromestizo or Mulato anymore. We are Afro-Mexicanos!! Thank You.

[LuchaFanTaztik]

Aqui en Veracruz la palabra negro no es un insulto es una palabra de cariño como que paso mi negro o las madres si alguien es de veracruz no me dejara mentir las madres siempre nos dicen "negrito" es una palabra de cariño aunque no niego que como en todos lados hay gente estupida y quiere insultar con eso pero vaa uno hace caso y como dice la cancion yo tambien tengo la rama azteca,la negra y la española eso es ser mexicano estar orgulloso de la mezcla ;D

[marclanders1000]

@Rafa15Jarocho HELL YEAH