Below is my final blog post. Underneath the video is the text of all I wanted to say. Thank you for following me. I hope you enjoyed the adventure as much as I did. Adios!

Well, this is my last day in Peru. The time has gone by really fast. I had a wonderful time with my fellow Fulbrighters. I have to thank again Dr. Fitchue for encouraging me to apply for this Fulbright-Hays Group Project, Drs. Prime, Welsh, and G. K. for recommending me, and Dr. Ngom for selecting me. Last but not least, I must thank my parents. I am where I am because of you. Thank you for your support.

As I reflect on my experiences, I see how I have grown. I feel that as a result of this project I have grown more personally than academically. While in Cusco, I became very sick. Cusco literally took my breath away. I physically could not breathe due to the extremely high altitude. I spent most of my time in bed trying to breathe. What I learned during that time is that I really need to take better care of myself. Also, I realized how some elder people might feel when they have trouble breathing and need help walking around. I had to ask my friend, Gina, to walk me to the bathroom because I was nervous that I was going to pass out and faint on my way. That experience convicted me to take better care of those who are older in my life.

The most meaningful and emotional experiences were when I visited the Afro-Peruvian communities of Yapatera, Morropon, and Zana. I learned so much and felted the culture and history. In Yapatera when I visited the school it was beautiful to see how they incorporate an Afrocentric philosophy in to their teaching. They pride themselves on having a curriculum that is designed to build pride and connection in their children to their Afro-Peruvian heritage and culture.

In Morropon, I saw the pride they have in knowing their African heritage. They were able to share with me where in Africa they know their ancestors came from. Furthermore, they stated when asked how do you know you are African, the proudly pointed to their wide nose and kinky hair and stated they can see it physically. They loved the way they looked.

In Zana, the Mayor gave me a tour around their Afro-Peruvian Museum. This was the most memorable experience for me. The exhibit he took me around had a number of instruments that were used to torture the slaves in that area hundreds of years go. Even though I do not understand much Spanish, I knew the meaning of every word he said. He invited me to hold a ball and chain. It was heavy and it hit me that this ball and chain was used to hold and keep down so many.

These experiences in the Afro-Peruvian communities energized and brought in to me a deeper desire and confirmed the responsibility I have to not take anything for granted. Many have suffered and worked hard, scarified so that I and others do not need to be weighted down. To whom much is given much is required. I am required to -and I do this with all pride and joy-  to work, love, and support my community and help others rise.

I am so thankful and blessed to have been chosen for this experience. I have always wanted to do a Fulbright during my graduate school years. I end my video by letting you know that:

Everything I am dreaming, I am achieving at Morgan State University!

Earlier this week we were blessed to have a lecture/performance by Professor Octavio Santa Cruz. Below are some videos from his presentation and performance.

This the eve of my last day in Peru. It has been AMAZING. I am blessed and highly favored to have been given this oppounity to study in Peru as a Fulbright Scholar.

Check in tomorrow for my last blog post. It will be a video in Spanish of my reflections.

So the other day after we finished our visits to the governmental buildings in downtown Lima, we had to take public transportation home. This was at the suggestion of our wonderful Fulbright-Hayes Director. He strongly encouraged us to take the autobús instead of a taxi, because it would be a cultural experience -> IT WAS 😮

It was a normal bus ride, however I noticed that people got on the bus for free to sell passengers things. It seems like everyone in Peru, especially the children, has a hustle. So on the about 30 minute ride, people came on the bus to sell pens, candy, and one boy even. The majority of them before they gave their sales pitch, told a story about why they are selling. Most of their stories dealt with a serious financial need.

I found the ride enjoyable, but my amgia (friend) Gina did not. So to start we took the bus when it was not rush hour, so the bus was not crowded at all. There were many other seats on the bus. A lady got on the bus and instead of taking a seat decided to stand in front of Gina. The lady’s body (the front part) was pressing against Gina’s. This made Gina very uncomfortable. She began to express in English how unpleased she was. All I did was cough and to hide my laughter. The lady must have figured out that Gina did not like her body against hers so she finally moved, while making some comments. Since I do not completely understand Spanish, I am not sure what she said. After she moved Gina was finally able to enjoy the rest of the ride 😮

Oh, below is a video of Lima traffic. I hope you enjoy!

Last week we went to the Archaeological Museum to learn about Sipán. We were blessed by having a presentation about the Moche done by Walter Alva himself.

Sipán is a Moche archaeological site in northern Peru that is famous for the tomb of El Señor de Sipán (Lord of Sipán), excavated by Walter Alva and his wife Susana Meneses. It is considered to be one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the last 30 years, because the main tomb was found intact and undisturbed by thieves. Tombs were found in Sipán’s Huaca Rajada, an area near Chiclayo. Manyhuaca were found showing Moche jewelry, masks, and art. The tomb of the Lord of Sipan has been dated to around 100 AD.

The tombs in the area are of adobe construction, of pyramidal shape, now eroded by successive El Niño events. Excavations continue. A mock-up of the Lord of Sipan’s tomb, complete with replica head-dress, breastplates and other grave goods, is open to visitors. A reconstruction of the Lord of Sipan in his regalia is on view in the Archaeological Museum of Lima, Peru.

It is believed that, as with ancient Egyptians, the people placed grave goods, including the remains of servants, to ensure survival of the elite into the afterlife. Also discovered were hundreds of small clay pots with individual faces, understood to be offerings made by the lord’s subjects.

Several dozens of such Moche tombs likely existed at one time, but almost all known tombs on the coast of Peru have been looted. This looting has occurred since at least the Spanish colonial period. Documented colonial mining laws stipulated how “looting rights” were to be determined. In modern times, the government has declared looting illegal, although it is still widely practiced. The archaeological sites are so numerous that law enforcement numbers are often insufficient to protect them.

*info from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sip%C3%A1n

The Republic of Peru celebrates its Fiestas Patrias Peruanas (or Peruvian National Holidays) today and tomorrow. These holidays commemorate the country’s freedom from the Spanish regime and consists of a two-day celebration: July 28, in remembrance of Peru’s independence from Spain won by Jose de San Martin; and July 29, in honor of the Peruvian Armed Forces and the National Police.

The celebrations begin at dawn of the July 28 with a 21-gun salute and flag-raising ceremonies. The President addresses his people on the nation’s progress. If newly elected, which is the case today for President Ollanta Humala, the President takes his oath today. On July 29, a military parade by the Peruvian Armed Forces and National Police is held Streets are decorated with patriotic colors and Peru’s weaponry is on public display.

*from http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/328545/republic-perus-independence-day

Click here to learn more about the Peruvian War of Independence.

I am excited about today 😮 There is so much going on. Today the president is sworn in and tomorrow is the parade. I am going to watch everything on TV.

Two more days (dos mas dias) in Peru. The time is ending do quickly. Just make sure to check out my last blog post on the 30th. Adios!

One of the most meaningful and beautiful experiences I have had in Peru was visiting Guarderia Soleil, a domestic violence shelter for women. Delia (who is to the far right in the picture below) is the founder.

*Above is a picture of the current women who work for the shelter and live their with their precious children (ninos).

Delia finances this shelter by herself. She does not get much support from any organization. She is so dedicated to funding the shelter that she drives a cab to earn money. The center is located right next to her modest home. The shelter is just as modest. Truth be told it is in need of an Extreme Home Makeover. The shelter has two bedrooms for all the women and children seen in the picture above.

Peru is a very male dominated country – when I say that I mean it is a “Man’s World”.

When the 15 of us came to visit, Delia opened up her home and generously feed us. The children immediately ran out and gave us hugs and kisses. I started taking pictures and the kids loved it. We played Peru’s Next Top Model 😮  I am so moved by the story of the women and Delia that I am committed to doing what I can to support her from the States. I hope to create a partnership between some domestic violence centers in the States and her’s. They need a lot of support.

As I mentioned earlier her place needs a Extreme Makeover. They have a great need for children and women’s clothing, blankets, pillows,  etc. If you would like more information about the center and would like to help, please contact me at kallo1@morgan.edu. Thank you in advance for your love, care, and support. Adios!

STATEMENT No. 001 – 2005
Afro-Peruvians REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE LAW INDEPA

The National Movement Francisco Afroperuano Congo (MNAFC) is an organization of Afro communities along the Peruvian coast and has fought for 19 years by respect for human rights and the vindication of the identity of our people African descent.

In this context we welcome the promulgation of the law and regulation that gives creation to the National Institute of Amazonian Peoples, Andean and Afro-Peruvian (INDEPA) which we believe is a very important to develop public policies that promote inclusion and non-discrimination against our Indigenous Peoples and Afro-descendants.

In order to strengthen the unity of the Afro organizations in Peru about the choice of the people’s representatives to the INDEPA afroperuano the MNAFC is summoning all the Afro-Peruvian organizations that make up our glorious movement to participate democratically in the election of our representatives who shall be elected National Assembly convened on October 1 this year in the city of Cañete.

We believe it is time that the Afro respond in an organized and with their own criteria, meet the challenges of building a political proposal to strengthen the thousands of brothers and sisters living in afros of extreme poverty in Lima, and particularly in other our towns and cities of Peru, and not incur the temptation of putting personalesque interests do not benefit our great mayorías.Agradecemos all sister organizations that support and commitment to unity and strengthening the rights of Afro-Peruvian communities in our country.

Afro-Peruvian Peoples 
united and organized to defend their rights!  

NATIONAL BOARD

NATIONAL MOVEMENT Afroperuano “Francisco Congo” (MNAFC)

For more information contact 447-9238 or email your mnafc@yahoo.com

*Information came from  http://www.cimarrones-peru.org/mnafc_pronun.htm

Buenos días (Good Morning)! One of our tour guides mentioned the other day that Susana Baca is the first or one of the first Afro-Peruvians to be in leadership in Peru. Below is some information about her.

I can’t believe I will on my way home in tres (three) days. I have so much still to share and write 😮 Just make sure to visit my page for the last time on July 30th. I will be posting my last blog. Adios!

Susana Esther Baca de la Colina (born Chorrillos, Lima Province, Peru, 1944) is a prominent Peruvian singer of Afro-Peruvian descent. She has been a key figure in the revival of Afro-Peruvian music within Peru and has won a Latin Grammy Award in 2002.

In July 2011 she was named Peru’s Minister of Culture in the Ollanta Humala government. She would become the first black cabinet minister in the history of independent Peru.

Baca grew up in a coastal fishing village Chorrillos, a district of the Lima Province of Peru, and part of greater Lima. Her music is a mixture of traditional and contemporary. Her backing band features indigenous Peruvian instruments such as the cajón (“wooden box”, whose origins lie in an upturned fruit crate), udu (clay pot), and quijada (jawbone of a burro) “cheko” a dried gourd, as well as acoustic guitar and electric upright baby bass. Although many of her songs are based on traditional forms such as the landó or vals, she also incorporates elements of Cuban and Brazilian music. Her debut CD for Luaka Bop, produced by Greg Landau, brought her to the attention of World Music audiences worldwide.

Her songs are poetic (with lyrics composed by some of Latin America’s premier poets, with whom she collaborates), rich with evocative imagery, and her voice is delicate yet soulful. She has an elegant and engaging stage presence, gliding gracefully about the stage while singing. Her delivery is so deeply felt and emotion-filled as to project a spiritual character, even in songs that are not expressly religious in subject matter.

Baca is an important figure in the revival of Afro-Peruvian music within Peru (see, for example, dancers from the Perú Negro troupe, as well as “Festejo” music), which, like the culture that produced it, had previously been little recognized, but which is now regarded as an important part of Peruvian culture. Baca has contributed much to its international popularity, which began in 1995 with the release of the compilation CD The Soul of Black Peru. The album, which features the Baca song “Maria Lando”, was released by the Luaka Bop record label, which belongs to ex-Talking Heads frontman David Byrne.

According to several important critics Susana is more than just an afro-Peruvian diva. Michael Heumann from “Stylus Magazine” says: “Maria Lando put Susana Baca on the world music map. Since then, she has released a number of very popular albums, most on Luka Bop, and all of incredibly high quality.”

Timothy G. Merello from “PopMatters” says -about Susana’s performance in Old Town School of Folk Music — Chicago: “Susana Baca, more than just a singer, is a poet, a historian, a spelunker and explorer of Afro-Peruvian folklore and music […] she and her band entertain, educate and entrance a sold out crowd with a musical melange of rhythms, melodies, beats, and dance.”

While Deanne Sole also from “PopMatters” says -about Susana’s 2009 album Seis Poemas (Six Poems): “After watching Peruvian singer Susana Baca perform on an open stage in burning heat with malfunctioning equipment, one can’t help but respect Baca not only as a voice but as a performer, as a person […] Seis Poemas, a small album but a charming one.”

With her husband, Bolivian Ricardo Pereyra, Baca founded the Instituto Negrocontinuo (Black Continuum Institute) in her seafront home in Chorrillos. It fosters the collection, preservation, and creation of Afro-Peruvian culture, music, and dance.

In 2002, Susana Baca won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Folk Album, for her Lamento Negro CD besides a nomination for the Grammy as “Best World Music Album”.

*info from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susana_Baca

When we visited the school in Yapatera, the school children preformed a few dances that have learned. The Dance Teacher stated that dance is one of the ways, they use to teach their children about their history and identity. Enjoy.

So a number of my fellow Fulbrighters and I were sick, so please keep us in prayer. In less than a week we will all be back home in the States and we want to be well. One of my fellow colleagues was so ill, that she had to go the hospital. From my understanding Peru has a national public health care system that is run by the government. When we took my friend to the hospital there was no waiting and she was seen right away 😮 They were very kind and helpful. We ended up giving them some medical supplies that we brought.

I got a bad cold and developed a seriously bad cough. It was so bad that none of the over the counter meds I bought with me worked, so I had to go the pharmacy. I along with my amigo (friend) Greg and amiga (friend) Gina went to InkaFrama. All I needed to do was talk to the doctor, let her know my symptoms, and she immediately wrote a perception for me. She asked for no co-pay or an insurance card. She prescribed me medicine for 4 days. The service there was wonderful. I paid for my prescription and left. Well the pharmacist realized that she did not give me all my pills, so she ran out to find us to give them to me. That is something I have noticed here in Peru ->The customer service in the stores and on the streets is kind, caring, and wonderful 😮

Talk/Write to you more in the Morning. Adios 😮