Dancing Devils, Fireworks: Afro-Mexicans Celebrate

Published October 1st, 2020 - 05:10 GMT

Afro-Mexicans have celebrated a heritage through dancing devils, fireworks using traditional musical instruments such as the donkey jawbone. People usually forget to mark the festival despite a centuries-old presence.

Never the less, the festival, which was created in honor of patron saint Nicolas of Tolentino, aims to maintain the culture of Cuajinicuilapa community in southern Guerrero state and preserve it from being lost.

On the other hand, about 1.5 million of people in Mexico are of African ancestry, regarding that the country contains 128 million, but they are unfamiliar outside the borders of Costa Chica province.

Ady Cruz, who is a 28-year-old dancer, said: "We're proudly Afro-Mexican".

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A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire during the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP

Mijane Jimenez, 31, activist of the Afro-Mexican community, wears a "Diablo" mask in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP

A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire during the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP

Members of the Afro-Mexican community perform the Toro de Petate dance in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP

Teenagers, members of the Afro-Mexican community, make Los Diablos dance, at El Pitayo community in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP

A boy, member of the Afro-Mexican community and disguised as "La Minga", walks before performing Los Diablos dance, at El Pitayo community in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP

Members of the Afro-Mexican community take part in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP

A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP

Members of the Afro-Mexican community take part in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP

A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire during the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Mijane Jimenez, 31, activist of the Afro-Mexican community, wears a "Diablo" mask in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire during the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Members of the Afro-Mexican community perform the Toro de Petate dance in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Teenagers, members of the Afro-Mexican community, make Los Diablos dance, at El Pitayo community in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A boy, member of the Afro-Mexican community and disguised as "La Minga", walks before performing Los Diablos dance, at El Pitayo community in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Members of the Afro-Mexican community take part in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Members of the Afro-Mexican community take part in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire during the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire during the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Mijane Jimenez, 31, activist of the Afro-Mexican community, wears a "Diablo" mask in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Mijane Jimenez, 31, activist of the Afro-Mexican community, wears a "Diablo" mask in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire during the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire during the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Members of the Afro-Mexican community perform the Toro de Petate dance in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Members of the Afro-Mexican community perform the Toro de Petate dance in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Teenagers, members of the Afro-Mexican community, make Los Diablos dance, at El Pitayo community in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Teenagers, members of the Afro-Mexican community, make Los Diablos dance, at El Pitayo community in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A boy, member of the Afro-Mexican community and disguised as "La Minga", walks before performing Los Diablos dance, at El Pitayo community in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A boy, member of the Afro-Mexican community and disguised as "La Minga", walks before performing Los Diablos dance, at El Pitayo community in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Members of the Afro-Mexican community take part in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Members of the Afro-Mexican community take part in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
A member of the Afro-Mexican community carries a "toritol" of fire in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 9, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Members of the Afro-Mexican community take part in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP
Members of the Afro-Mexican community take part in the annual festival dedicated to San Nicolas Tolentino, in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero state, Mexico, on September 10, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although there are 1,5 million African descendants in a country of 128 million inhabitants, it is normal to hear that "in Mexico there are no blacks". PEDRO PARDO / AFP

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