Cultural expression in the form of music and dance is universal and timeless. Anywhere in the world, one can find the unique rhythms and melodies of the local culture and learn, through this art, about the people and history of the area. But what if the people of the area are in danger of being driven out because of local violence, corporate greed or economic hardship? How does the local culture survive if generations are forced to abandon their lands? These are the hardships faced by the people of the Choco region of Pacific Colombia and Northern Ecuador.
The people of these regions have laid roots and fertilized their culture with the development of marimba music brought to this region by African slaves. This powerful expression of history and local culture is crucial to these communities and has been recognized by the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity division of UNESCO in 2015. It was listed as Marimba music, traditional chants and dances from the Colombia south Pacific region and Esmeraldas Province of Ecuador (www.ich.unesco.org/en/RL/01099).
Having been recognized is an honor but it has not had a tangible impact on saving the local culture in Ecuador which has been disappearing at the same pace as its rainforests. The influx of large corporations focused on deforestation and monoculture production of various crops has resulted in the imposition of more popular mainstream music and dance and the expulsion of the local Afro-Esmeraldan heritage. An even more disturbing reality of the region are the countless cases of families being displaced from their own lands through corrupt corporate and governmental land grabs (www.resilience.org/stories/2024-05-20/a-new-and-silent-land-grab-is-underway-we-must-stop-it/). The families of our own students have fallen victim to this reality and live in poverty, making the study of culture and the arts unattainable and impossible.
In an effort to reverse this decline in local culture, the DIVERSIDAD del CHOCO, Naturaleza y Arte school of music and dance was founded. Having established the school with my own funds, and over the years with the help of friends like Scott Rasmussen (founder of ESPN), children of the region from ages 6-18 years old are able to deeply learn and keep alive their cultural expression. The main goal is to preserve this cultural history within the Community of El Cabuyal/Puerto Quito in Ecuador and for it to flourish again through its children and future generations.
DIVERSIDAD del CHOCO, Naturaleza y Arte has been fortunate to have the instruments is has now through the generosity of Scott Rasmussen, but additional instruments are necessary so more students can learn to play as well as dance. The music teachers come from the Choco region of Colombia where this culture is by far more intact than in Ecuador. Ultimately, it would be a great win for the school if its students could travel to Colombia to learn and share their knowledge alongside the children of Colombia. This would allow them to see firsthand that this culture is worth preserving throughout their lifetime and onward to future generations. Living in the Cabuyal area of Ecuador does not provide this opportunity so readily; only through a school like ours, are they exposed to this musical heritage. The school aims to create dancers and musicians that can eventually earn a living through their craft while, at the same time, share their knowledge locally and worldwide. How can this be done?
Our efforts are currently focused on opening its doors to more children and, for that, more instruments and instructors are needed. Also, it is critical to afford travel to the many different festivals (especially in Colombia) where the students can perform and feel the importance of being an integral part of preserving their heritage. Funds are necessary on an ongoing basis for: 1) maintenance and costs of running the school; 2) instructors’ monthly salaries; 3) costumes, travel expenses, 4) instruments and their maintenance.
The school DIVERSIDAD del CHOCO, Naturaleza y Arte has functioned essentially as a non-profit because every cent raised goes right back into the needs of the school. It will continue to be run in this manner because DIVERSIDAD del CHOCO, Naturalez y Arte exists only to preserve the heritage of the people of the Cabuyal and to ensure it survives regardless of the growing, ever-present negative forces it matters very little to. We greatly appreciate the support and generosity of those of you to whom it does matter. Please follow these links (TBD) to make your one-time or monthly contribution. No contribution is too small and sharing this with your like-minded friends and family will only help this mission’s goals become a reality that much sooner.
Raul Nieto
Itapoa_25@hotmail.com
www.itapoareserve.org
FB: Diversidad Del Choco – Sonidos de la Selva Itapoa Project