In an exclusive interview with Adeyinka Olaiya , a Brazil based Nigerian artist And writer, Adeyinka Olaiya, The African Peruvian Carlos Carbas Babalanke Revealed How Yoruba’s Religion, And Culture In Africa Has A Very Strong Link With The African Peruvians In Chincha, Peru.
The city of Chincha Alta is located about 200 kilometers south of Lima, the capital of Peru with approximately 56 thousand people .
The Spanish warlords who arrived the city of Chincha in Peru with thousands of African slaves that were captured from the Portuguese slave masters in the 14th and 15th century , the African slaves later became part of the population of the indigenous chinchans , and of which they later dominated the culture and tradition of the people of Chincha by introducing the African culture and tradition to the province of Chincha.
Afro Peruvian dancer at the dance shrine , Chincha Peru.
According to Professor of African History, Dr Carlos Carbas Babalanke , the African slaves , predominantly Yorubas arrived in the 14th and 15th century , they were brought by the Spanish warlords who warred against the Inca empire that had earlier conquered the real indigenous chinchais that was led by Tupac Inca Yupanqui during the reign of his father , Pachacuti.
Today, the Afro-Peruvian culture has grown in Chincha since the African slaves arrived Peru. The government of Peru do organize intercultural programs to boost the African cultural influence in Peru. Mãe El Carmen , an African Peruvian traditionalist do organize annual celebration of the Yoruba traditional dance steps and musics . The beats from the Cajon Drums , maracas , Agogô, Omele and Gangan are displayed in every celebration “ these dances are to please the African gods “ Orishas” Carmen said.
African dance steps , Chincha , Peru.
The Afro-Peruvian folklores is organized every February in the province of Chincha called “ Verano Negro” (literally “Black summer” ) a very big festival run across Chincha to celebrate the Afro Peruvian food , music and dances . The cuisine of the people of Chincha Alta in Peru where Africans are dominated are quite different from the one of the others because of the African backgrounds , foods are ate in African manner , they eat without using cutleries, yams are prepared in the Yoruba manner, yam festivals are equally observed to link the spirits of the African Peruvians to their ancestors in Africa.