La Guardia goes to Colombia - Day 5/6

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

By La Guardia

May 14, 2009

What’s good everyone? How are things in North America?

As you know from the previous blogs, I’m learning new things everyday. Today I spent most of the day/afternoon in a town called “Palenke”. This town would be considered a “1” (1 being the lowest on the 1-6 economic scale assigned by the government).

Palenke 101:

West Africans from the coast of Nigeria, The Congo, and Sierra Leone were brought to Colombia as slaves and escaped into the jungle to form their own town, which they called “Palenke”. Palenke became the first free independent African community in North and South America. They blended African/Spanish language, traditions, and music to form their own dialect and culture.

The people of Palenke have formed a community of oral/written traditions, self owned businesses, schools, and their own governmental system.

12 Chief positions on the Palenke counsel:

1. Culture/Identity
2. Territory
3. Health
4. Housing
5. Justice
6. Finance
7. Sports
8. Politics
9. Traditional Medicine
10. Legal Representation (The President of the counsel)
11. Education
12. Secretary

Each position includes an advisory community of elders who help to make decisions. Men/women alike can hold any position on the counsel. I learned all this and more from the chief of culture/identity. I also got the chance to freestyle over live Chanpeta music (original afro-latin blend) and tour the area. Here’s another piece of info for yall: Men are allowed up to 7 wives with one condition…they must be able to financially support each.

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Peace/blessings ya’ll!

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Day 6 - May 15, 2009

Alright...and now for the moment that we've ALL been waiting for.

Friday night in Cartagena, Colombia - I FINALLY GOT THE CHANCE TO PERFORM!!! I'm not going to say much about this...I'm just going to tease you with this clip. First of all, I apologize for not having high bandwidth in my area. All I could spare is the time to upload a 6 sec clip. View it as many times as you like. Now...enjoy the pure love for hip hop in Cartagena, Colombia.

Don't worry, I'll have more up for you soon as promised. In the meantime, enjoy the slide show:

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Miami hip-hop artist La Guardia will be keeping a travel diary of his trip to Colombia from May 9 - May 25, as part of La Lengua A De Mi Barrio, a hip-hop exchange program. For more information on La Guardia visit his website, www.laguardiahiphop.com.

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