Social Interaction - Thursday, May 25, 2023

Unicauca commemorates, in style, Afro-Colombianity and African Heritage Month

Despite the remote academic activities, from the University of Cauca we are promoting and participating in different spaces on the occasion of the commemoration of Afro-Colombianity Day. Likewise, throughout May, we will continue to join in the celebrations associated with African Heritage Month, designated as such by the Ministry of Culture.

Every May 21 since 2002, Afro-Colombianity Day is commemorated throughout the national territory. Why? It marks the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Colombia, decreed by the president of the time, José Hilario López , through Law 21 of May 21, 1851. Thus, on May 21 we commemorate the freedom of the black people, their struggles and life itself, hence, as a University, with wide incidence in a region that is characterized by its great multi-ethnic wealth, let us seek to recognize, make visible and value the cultural diversity of our country, highlighting the role of Afro-descendant communities and their undeniable contribution to Colombian social, economic and cultural development.

In this sense, on May 23, 2023, through a live broadcast on our Facebook page, we held the discussion “Afro Epistemologies in the university world”, an interesting meeting that made its participants reflect on the need to continue fighting, in all spaces, all forms of racism and discrimination. In addition, through the poetry of the great teacher Mary Grueso, a call was made to feel proud of our roots and of all the great history of struggle behind it, which makes us unique and special. It should be noted that this conversation was held thanks to our Vice-Rector for Culture and Well-being, represented by the Culture Management Division; the University Palenque; the Center for Ethnic Memories and the Rogerio Velásquez Murillo Afro-Colombian Chair.

On the other hand, the rector, Dr. Deibar René Hurtado Herrera; the Academic Vice Chancellor, Aída Patricia González and the Vice Chancellor for Culture and Well-being, teacher César Alfaro, participated in an event organized by the Government of Cauca, also on May 23, at the Casa de la Moneda Convention Center, within the framework of of the Afro-Colombianity Week, stage where the African leader, educator, journalist and writer Koyo Yankah was, with whom an important academic space was developed to recognize the true history of Africa and, based on it, strengthen the identity of our people black.

"These acts of recognition, which are taking place all this week, are acts that allow us to realize this cultural heritage, the diversity and plurality of the department, but also what the University of Cauca is," he said. the rector, referring to the work that has been done by the university, by being present in the different municipalities of the department, such as the north of Cauca, the region of El Patía and the Colombian Pacific Coast, "Through the By interacting with the people who inhabit the territory we mutually enrich each other, thus allowing the university to contribute to solving problems”, he added.

In this way, different institutional and academic actors were part of the space organized by the Government of Cauca, where they had the opportunity to witness beautiful cultural events, such as the declamation of several poems by the teacher Mary Grueso, as well as music presentations. and dance, prior to the important conversation between the Governor of Cauca, Elías Larrahondo Carabalí, and the African leader, Koyo Yankah, who began his speech by asking for the presence of the ancestors, through a sense of welcome ritual that was a clear sign of the symbolic value tha

they give to the expressions of their culture. It should be noted that, within the event, the Government of Cauca paid tribute to the African leader, awarding him the José Hilario López Medal, silver category, thus recognizing the struggle of the black people and all the path that remains to be traveled between Colombia and Africa; a path that is also being strengthened through the actions carried out by the Vice President of the Republic, Francia Márquez.

Thus, from the University of Cauca we will continue carrying out and participating in the different spaces through which the struggles continue to be recognized.