Discourse with Fita González on African-Venezuelan Identity, Resistance, and Freedom
In the heart of Venezuela, the Cumbe Nacional continues to serve as a strategic space for political education, organization, and collective deliberation, with roots dating back to the era of slavery. This space, a testament to resilience and self-governance, has evolved over time, reflecting the historical cumbes' characteristics.
The cumbes, powerful expressions of self-rule, directly challenged the colonial order. The variations in the colors of saints' clothing across different communities are not mere aesthetic choices but are rooted in collective memory, culture, and historical experience. Each community has its unique cultural expressions, which are deeply embedded in their identity and history.
The Black Academy, an evolution from the Network of Afro-Venezuelan Organizations (ROA), significantly contributes to this struggle. Consisting of Black intellectuals including anthropologists, sociologists, and political thinkers, the Academy provides scholarly research and political analysis that deepens the historical and cultural understanding of Afro-descendant experiences. The Academy's involvement in the Committee for Historical Truth, established in 2022 by President Nicolás Maduro, enhances the visibility and political power of Afro-descendant peoples.
The current status of Black struggles in Venezuela, especially within the Bolivarian Process, is marked by important legal and political advancements alongside ongoing challenges with structural racism. Afro-Venezuelans have been at the forefront of revolutionary struggle, including key moments such as the 2002 restoration of Chávez to power and grassroots activism. One landmark achievement is the 2011 “Law Against Racial Discrimination,” which legally recognized Afro-descendant identity and laid a foundation for political advances.
However, despite these gains, structural racism persists, requiring continuous grassroots education, political activism, and cultural work to deep-root this out. Ongoing efforts focus on constitutional reform to guarantee Afro-descendants collective rights and political recognition akin to Indigenous peoples. This political claim is part of the broader strategy to secure formal acknowledgement and social justice.
These struggles unfold amid wider Venezuelan crises of repression and economic hardship, complicating social justice efforts but highlighting the resilience and centrality of Afro-descendant participation in the Bolivarian Revolution. Marginalized communities, including Afro-descendants, face threats and vulnerabilities exacerbated by political repression and economic hardship, though these conflicts are more related to political opposition than specifically racial dynamics.
The Bolivarian Revolution has played a significant role in the advancement of Afro-descendant rights and recognition in Venezuela. The National Council for the Development of Afro-Descendant Communities was established in 2012 as one of the last institutions signed into law by President Chávez. Many Afro towns, such as Curiepe, originated as cumbes.
In many Afro territories in Venezuela, spirituality is one of the foundational pillars of political practice, with figures like the "capitán" of the San Benito brotherhood playing a significant role. The practice of the Cumbe Nacional and the Black movement in Venezuela are deeply connected to spiritual beliefs, and spiritual leadership often evolves into political leadership.
The debates about the relationship between cumbes and communes in Venezuela are rich and necessary, with each community finding its own way to merge traditional practices with the communal model in place today. The Cumbe Sexo-Género Diverso, a space for Black people with diverse gender and sexual identities, was recently created in response to the need for political education and organization.
The Universidad Venezolana del Tambor, a force behind cultural expressions in Venezuela, emphasizes the political significance of Afro-descendant knowledge. According to the most recently published census (2011), 54% of Venezuela's population is Afro-descendant, underscoring the importance of continued efforts towards social justice and recognition.
References: 1. [Link to Reference 1] 2. [Link to Reference 2] 3. [Link to Reference 3] 4. [Link to Reference 4] 5. [Link to Reference 5]
- The Black Academy, a development from the Network of Afro-Venezuelan Organizations (ROA), offers education and self-development in the fields of anthropology, sociology, and political thought, contributing significantly to the struggle for Afro-descendant rights and recognition.
- In many Afro territories of Venezuela, the Cumbe Nacional, a space for political education, organization, and collective deliberation, serves as a platform for lifestyle and cultural expressions deeply rooted in collective memory, history, and spirituality, reflecting the resilience and self-governance of marginalized communities.
