See Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero, in the Costa Chica Region
By Patricia Ann Talley, Editor
The history and contributions of Africans in Mexico and throughout the Americas have generally not been recognized or taught. Many people do not know that there are African descendants in Mexico. I did not.
Back in 2010, I attended a community luncheon at a resort in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, in honor of the International Day of Peace. The guest services manager arranged the luncheon entertainment – a fashion show of traditional clothes from the Costa Chica Region, led by Professor Donají Mendez Tello, from the local tourism university. He kept telling me – “She is just like you.” (I thought that meant another crazy professor.)
Professor Mendez Tello and I arrived at the resort at the same time. We exited the taxis and looked at each other in amazement, “Donají?” – “Paty? That is when I realized, “she’s just like you” meant that we were both of African descent. “Blacks” in Mexico?
The Pathways to Freedom Project
That chance meeting was the start of a life-long friendship and academic collaboration. We also found Dr. Talia Weltman-Cisneros (from South Africa), who has conducted extensive research in the Costa Chica area.
In 2011, with the assistance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force of Southfield, Michigan, and in collaboration with Mexico Negro, A.C. of Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero, we received a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council to begin the “Pathways to Freedom in the Americas” Project. The project consists of a website with teaching materials and a traveling exhibition that has toured museums, hotels, schools, and universities throughout the state of Michigan. The exhibit is now on display at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in San Diego, California.
Now, through technology, we can share this history and a photographic tour with you.
Photographic Tour of Cuajinicuilapa – The Largest Black Town in Guerrero
The state of Guerrero is rich in history and diversity. Approximately 20% of the state’s population is indigenous and, and it has the largest concentration of Afromexicans in the country. This is due to the Transpacific Trade Route when Spanish ships sailed to Africa, around Cape Hope to the Philippines, and then to the ports of Acapulco and Zihuatanejo in Guerrero.
Cuajinicuilapa, located about 4 driving hours south of Acapulco, is the largest Black Town in Guerrero. It is Donají’s hometown and the home of Professor Sergio Peñaloza. Donaji and Sergio went to elementary school together. They are the co-founders of Mexico Negro, A.C., our collaborating civic organization. Professor Sergio, the past president of the foundation, now serves as a federal “Congressman” for Afro-Mexicans, and Professor Donaji Mendez Tello is president.
Like many Black Towns, the area is geographically isolated without sufficient roads, schools, hospitals, etc. Afromexicans were counted for the first time in the national census in March 2020 with the intent to gain recognition and government financial allocations.
See the people, the food, the festivals, and art from “Cuaji”.
Photo Exhibition, Lectures & Tours
For a lecture and photo exhibition, contact: info@imagine-mexico.com. We can arrange small, private tours of up to 12 people, accompanied by one or more of the professors.
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