GRIOTS REPUBLIC - AN URBAN BLACK TRAVEL MAG - JULY 2016

BLOGGER
OF THE
MONTH
A H O R A S E C R E T O
A B L A C K A M E R I C A N I N B L A C K P E R Ú
As I carried my drink from the bar to my
table with a big smile in anticipation of
seeing a popular black singer from Perú
at a Latin American club in San Francisco,
California, one of the owners passed me by
giving me a frightened look apparently not
used to seeing a black American at a Peruvian
performance. Perhaps, he thought I may
be casing the joint to plan a robbery; I don’t
know.
The seemingly suspicious individual knew
nothing of my exposure to Black Latin America
as I’ve traveled to nine countries, mainly
Perú, where I made repeat visits. He knew
nothing of the Peruvian neighborhoods I
visited, the families I stayed with, and not
to mention my ability to speak Spanish as I
earned my advanced Spanish certificate in
Peru.
It was in El Carmen, Perú, dubbed as the hub
of Afro-Peruvian culture, where I made my
first family-like connections, not only in the
home of the famous Amador Ballumbrosio,
the godfather of Afro-Peruvian music where
I stayed, but in the community where I also
made lifetime friendships.
Despite El Carmen’s abject poverty, crime
is next to zero. I could not help but notice
how the community lives in harmony; no
conflicts, no muggings, no stealing, and no
fights. When they party, they party hearty
without trouble makers spoiling the fun.
I’ve exchanged many greetings with total
strangers as we passed each other on the
street. During my first visit, I was made to
feel like a very special guests, consistently
being invited to parties, out for drinks, and to
other social events in the community. What I
love about El Carmen is that it is off the beaten
path—very few tourists with the exception
of the months of February and March when
they celebrate black heritage.