OVERVIEW
This section consists of an in-depth review of the history of Afro-Peruvian music from the arrival of African slaves in Peru during the 16th century to the present time. Founded on literary works from Peruvian and international scholars who endeavored to reconstruct the history of Afro-Peruvian music, this section explores the cultural, social, and political issues that led Afro-Peruvians from discrimination and oppression to dignity and freedom.
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The African ancestors of Afro-Peruvians arrived in Peru during the first half of the 16th century. They were brought as slaves by Spanish conquistadores during the colonial period. During this first migration, slaves arrived directly from Africa and from other Spanish colonies (Chocano, 2016).
In the 1950s, migration from rural Andean areas to coastal cities increased. Faced with this scenario, the urban middle sectors and the dominant class of Lima sought to promote true representations of the coastal culture to reinforce their identity (Carpio, 2021). As one of the oldest social groups in Lima, Afro-Peruvian culture was regarded as an important component of this discourse and began to be promoted as “the fine and pure black race” in radio, television, and live events.
The exposure of Afro-Peruvian culture was accompanied by a political discourse that sought to raise awareness about discrimination, racism, inequality, and vindication. The civil rights movement in the United States and philosophies of Black Power were influential for Afro-Peruvians to reclaim their social value and identity, as well as fighting for political, social, and artistic recognition.
Since then, music became a means through which Afro-Peruvians found their “voice”, identity, and dignity in Peruvian societies, promoting and strengthening multiculturalism and social inclusion in Peru. Afro-Peruvian music reached international audiences and recognition through talented artists who continued the musical legacy of their ancestors, such as Lucila Campos, Caitro Soto, Zambo Cavero, Eva Ayllón, Susana Baca, amongst others.
REFERENCES
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Afro-Peruvian Music (2022, January 30). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro-Peruvian_music
Alegría, G. (2006). An introduction to Afro-Peruvian Jazz Music. DMA.
Carazas, M. M. (2018). El testimonio Afroperuano. [Doctoral dissertation, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos]. https://es.scribd.com/document/442207359/CARAZAS-2018-El-testimonio-afroperuano
Carpio, G. C. (2021). Fusión y música afroperuana…de Chabuca Granda a los Hijos del Sol: Análisis musical comparativo de las obras “el surco” y “coplas a fray martin” en los discos cada canción con su razón y to my country [Thesis, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú]. https://tesis.pucp.edu.pe/repositorio/handle/20.500.12404/20742
Chabuca Granda (2021, November 9). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chabuca_Granda
Chocano, R. (2016). Patrimonio cultural inmaterial Afroperuano. Ministerio de Cultura. https://centroderecursos.cultura.pe/sites/default/files/rb/pdf/PATRIMONIO%20CULTURAL%20INMATERIAL%20AFROPERUANO%20MINCU.pdf
Feldman, H. C. (2010). Translation acts: Afro-peruvian music in the united states. Journal of Popular Music Studies, 22(2), 139-165. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-1598.2010.01233.x
Guardia, M. A. (2019). Aproximaciones sobre la música Afroperuana en la Lima virreinal. In Cultura Afroperuana Encuentro de Investigadores 2019 (pp.171-177). Ministerio de Cultura. https://philarchive.org/rec/MEDERA
Llanos, F. E. (2018). El ‘renacer afroperuano’ de 1950: Discursos sobre la música negra de la costa peruana. Orfeu, 3(2)https://doi.org/10.5965/2525530403022018025
Miranda, J. F. (2019). El renacimiento afroperuano y el renacer del contrapunto. In Cultura Afroperuana Encuentro de Investigadores 2019 (pp.155-171). Ministerio de Cultura. https://philarchive.org/rec/MEDERA
Paredes, K. S. (2019). La música Afroperuana de la región Lambayeque [Thesis, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo]. https://repositorio.unprg.edu.pe/handle/20.500.12893/8615
Santa Cruz, R. (2004). El cajón Afroperuano. Cocodrilo Verde ediciones.
Susnjar, D. S. (2013). A methodology for the application of Afro-Peruvian rhythms to the drum set for use in a contemporary jazz setting [Doctoral dissertation, University of Miami]. https://scholarship.miami.edu/esploro/outputs/doctoral/A-Methodology-for-the-Application-of/991031447363802976
Tompkins, W. D. (2011). Las tradiciones musicales de los negros de la costa del Perú (1. en español. ed.). CEMDUC.