Debating Afrocolombianidad

Gold miners in Tadó (Chocó, Colombia) are predominantly Afro-Colombians [Photo © Jan Sochor]

Most people outside Colombia know about the country’s African population through the music of groups like Latin Grammy winners Choquibtown, with their references (see here and here) to Chocó, a Colombian state populated by a majority of African descendants. In their song El Bombo, Choquibtown sing: “Encima África viva — ¡Mía! Esta es mi herencia llena de alegría” (And Africa is alive — It’s mine! This is my heritage full of happiness).