Afro-Venezuelans are some of the most important black people of the African Diaspora. Their history and culture have been glorious for centuries. Most of them are descendants of the enslaved Africans brought to the Western Hemisphere during the Atlantic slave trade. The culture of black Venezuelans deals with the arts, traditions, music, religion, and language. There are over 1 million Afro-Venezuelans, most of them speak Spanish or Portuguese (many speak English too), and they live all over Venezuela. Between 1576 and 1810, about 100,000 African people were sent against their wills to Venezuela via the Maafa. Many of them came from Angola, Senegal, Gambia, Benin, Nigeria, and the Congo. Their ethnicities are: Kalabari, Igbo, Yorubua, Kongo, Wolof, and other human beings. The slaves were treated horribly. They were sent to the gold mines in Coro and Buria (Yarcuy). Some were at the Isla Margarita and Cumana for fishing and pearl diving. There were agricultural plantations too in Caracas, etc. Some slaves were sent to Barlovento to aid in the cocoa industry. There were indigo plantations in Llanos and sugar plantations in Lara, Aragua and Zulia, around Lake Maracaibo. There were many slave revolts in Venezuela. There was one insurrection in Coro on 1532. Others took place in the Buria mines in 1522. That rebellion was led by El Negro Miguel (or Rey Miguel). He founded a cimarrón, or cumbe (escaped slave) settlement and had himself proclaimed king. He developed an army of 1,500 slaves, black people, biracial people, Zambos (i.e. biracial people with African and Native American heritage), and indigenous peoples to attack colonial establishments. Numbers of runaway-slave communities continued to increase throughout the seventeenth century, and by 1720 there were between 20,000 and 30,000 cimarrones in Venezuela, as opposed to the 60,000 slaves still working on the plantations (Rout 1976, 111112). Barlovento was the site of intense cimarrón activity throughout the eighteenth century, with several cumbe settlements being established around Caucagua and Curiepe. The most famous of these was that of Ocoyta, founded around 1770 by the legendary Guillermo Rivas. After he led raids on various plantations both to liberate slaves and to punish overseers, a special army was raised to destroy Ocoyta and execute Rivas.
"Cumbe" derives from the Manding term for "out-of-the-way place." Typically located above river banks or in remote mountainous areas, cumbes were usually well hidden and housed an average of 120 residents. Such settlements were also called patucos and rochelos. Cimarrones were frequently aided by indigenous tribes living in the area (e.g., the Tomusa in Barlovento), and cumbe populations were composed not only of black human beings, but also of Native Americans and even of poor Whites. Cimarrón groups conducted raids on plantations, assisted in the escapes of other slaves, and participated in contraband trading. The only legally established town of free Blacks was that of Curiepe, established in Barlovento in 1721 under the leadership of Captain Juan del Rosario Blanco. The community was composed of former members of Caracas's Company of Free Blacks as well as huangos from the Antilles. The latter were escaped slaves who, like all black people fleeing non-Spanish-speaking islands, were granted freedom upon arrival in Venezuela if they accepted baptism
Afro-Venezuelans fought hard for the independence of the nation of Venezuela. Originally, slaves fought for the Crown, believing that the landowning creole Republicans were their enemies. In particular, the notorious royalist battalion of General José Tomás Boves attracted many slave soldiers. Bolívar, realizing the strategic importance of Black soldiers in the fight for independence, declared the abolition of slavery in 1812 and again in 1816, after promising Haitian president Alexandre Pétion that he would secure freedom for slaves in return for Haitian military aid. A major landowner himself, Bolívar freed 1,000 of his own slaves, and in 1819 recruited 5,000 slaves into his army. José Antonio Paéz, a key figure in Venezuelan independence, led an army of black human beings from the llanos (plains). One of his most famous lieutenants, Pedro Camejo, has been immortalized in Venezuelan history as "El Negro Primero", because he was always the first to ride into battle. In the final battle of Carabobo, Camejo was mortally wounded but returned to General Paéz to utter one of the most famous statements in Venezuelan history: "General, vengo decirle, adiós, porque estoy muerto" (General, I have come to say goodbye, because I am dead). A statue of El Negro Primero stands in the Plaza Carabobo in Caracas. Curiously, he is sometimes depicted wearing a turban, the same iconography used for the mythical Negro Felipe. With the declaration of independence in 1810, all trafficking in slaves was outlawed. The decline in slavery continued throughout the War of Independence when, at its conclusion in 1821, the "Ley de vientre" was passed, stating that all children born, whether of slave or free parents, were automatically free. By March 24, 1854, the date of slavery's official abolition in Venezuela, less than 24,000 slaves remained. By the 20th century, Afro-Venezuelans experienced racial discrimination despite claims of racial democracy by some. Some people believe in the ideology of mestizaje and the racist ideology of blanqueamiento (or eliminating black people's identity into a more Eurocentric ideology will cause change). This racist assimilation plan was rejected by black heroes. Black intellectuals like Juan Pablo Sojo and Manuel Rodrigues Cardenas during the 140's including Jesus Garcia refuted the lies from blanqueamiento (or racist assimilation). There is a strong body of research in Afro-Venezuelan history and folklore has also been established by Venezuelan scholars, particularly Miguel Acosta Saignes (1967). Public festivals such as the Fiesta de San Juan have emerged as focal points in the reappropriation of Afro-Venezuelan culture, articulating current transformations in a living tradition of cimarronaje (resistance to the dominant culture, consciousness of being marginal).
Most Afro-Venezuelans are Roman Catholics. They use drumming and influences of African tradition religions are found in their culture too. The diverse ethnic groups of Africa influenced the modern-day cultural diversity of Afro-Venezuelans of our time in 2022. Yoruba's influences are found in many traditions as well. The influx of Cuban immigrants after the Cuban Revolution in 1959 has encouraged the establishment of the Afro-Cuban religion Santería among Venezuelans of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Although this is a predominantly urban phenomenon, African influences in Venezuela continue to evolve through a dynamic and continuous migration of cultural practices and forms. Many feats and certain days are celebrated. Afro-Venezuelan music is heavily influenced by drums like the Bantu-speaking peoples of West Africa using drums and rhythms. A fiesta or celebration has stylistic forms of expression. In Barlovento, the culo e'puya drums are important, as are the mina and curbata, which are played together. Quitiplas are also prominent in Barlovento. These are fashioned from hollow bamboo tubes and played by striking them on the ground. (They are similar to the Trinidadian "tambou bamboo" that gave rise to steel-drum styles). Oral traditions in dealing with tales of Uncle Rabbit (Tio Conejo) and Tio Tigre (Uncle Tiger) are shown in various tales.
Afro-Venezuelans can be found all over the country, but the largest Afro-Venezuelan population is located in the Barlovento region, in the state of Miranda. Comprising an area of 4,500 square kilometers, Barlovento covers four districts of the state of Miranda. There are also important Afro-Venezuelan communities along the coasts of Carabobo (Canoabo, Patanemo, Puerto Cabello), the Distrito Federal (Naiguatá, La Sabana, Tarma, etc.), Aragua (Cata, Chuao, Cuyagua, Ocumare de la Costa, etc.), and the southeast shore of Lake Maracaibo (Bobures, Gibraltar, Santa María, etc.). Smaller pockets are also found in Sucre (Campoma, Güiria), the southwest area of Yaracuy (Farriar), and the mountains of Miranda (Yare). There is a large Afro-Venezuelan community in El Callao (in the southernmost state of Bolviar where winers lived at from the French and British Antilles during the mid-19th century). Many Afro-Venezuelan people are Ronald Acuna Jr. (who plays for the MLB's Atlanta Braves), Morella Munoz (who is a singer), actress Gledys Ibarra, educator and activist Argella Laya, Rodrigo Riera, Esther Pineda G, the track and field legend Yulimar Rojas, Omar Atlas, and other human beings.
Afro-Uruguayans are very prominent in South America. They are about 100,000 Afro-Urugayans, and most of them live in Montevideo including Barrio Sur and Palmermo. Centuries ago, African slaves were sent to the port of Buenos Aires (in Argentines) and then to the Rio de la Plata region. Some were shipped into Córdoba and the northwestern provinces of Salta and Tucumán in Argentina, across the Andes Mountains to Chile (see Afro-Chileans) and to the mines of Potosí in Alto Perú (see Afro-Bolivians). The region of Uruguay has a complex history of diverse cultures. Many black people fought in the militias and military long ago. Black people felt more freedom fighting in these militias. Up till 1830, black soldiers were responsible for the establishment and creation of the first professional Uruguayan infantry, only to be followed by all African men of ancestry being added into the army of Guerra Grande from 1839 to 1852 and freed. With the freedom of slaves, unlike before, where black soldiers were commanded by white officers, now, anyone from black battalions could participate in military networks. Black militia officers gained legal privileges and contributed in national politics because of the ban on slavery. Along with the anti-slavery laws set in Uruguay, any newly arrived slaves would be freed and be reintroduced as “African colonist”. As new recruits of black soldiers flowed in, the freed individuals were able to connect more with commanders and people in units and create social strategies in these new formations. The building of Uruguay and its success hinges mainly on its military, the black militias and their actions based on African-born population. The culture in Uruguay has been influenced by Catholicism and African traditions. Afro-Uruguayans celebrate a musical dance called Candombe. It is found from the Congo. Other musical sounds in the nation are son and tumba (from Cuba) and Brazil's maracatu and congadas. Since the start of the 21st century, many people from Nigraia, Cameroon, Senegal, etc. have immigrated into Uruguay. Afro-Uruguayans include civil rights educator and poet Adelia Silva (1925-2004), Sandra Chagas, Alba Roballo, Edgardo Ortuno, Gloria Rodriguez Santo, the poet Virginia Brindis de Salas, Tina Ferreira, track and field athlete Déborah Lizeth Rodríguez Guelmo, Victor Rodriguez Andrade, Carlos Digo, and other human beings.
Architecture is one of the most beautiful aspects of STEM fields. Architecture is a wide-ranging field that deals with art, planning images, building objects, forming cities including towns, and constructing other structures. Since the dawn of human history, its wonders have inspired the world. When you see the Great Pyramids of Giza, the great structures of the ancient civilization of Zimbabwe, the World Trade Center (One), and the Statue of Liberty, architecture is fully abundant. It takes a great understanding of mathematics, physics, culture, art, and other subjects to be greatly proficiently in understanding the concepts of the field. Architectural design is beneficial to humanity as it creates homes for people, it establishes institutions to grow society, and it makes us aware the human creative spirit from the human imagination. Some have evaluated theories of architecture revolving around durability, utility, and beauty form the Roman architect Vitruvius. Yet, architecture is more complicated than simplistic theories. At its core, architecture deals with building something that is of value to people or used for a specific function. Many concepts deal with architecture like column, cornice, facade, baluster, capital, architrave, cupola, arcade, frieze, entablature, pediment, cantilever, buttress, gable, and parapet. Being an architect, construction worker, and other related occupations require study, skills, learning expertise, and being in love with architecture. That is why STEM is so important in our daily lives. Learning is a lifelong process. Learning about architecture certainly is an important aspect of human existence indeed.
Involving the mysteries of life, we live in modern times during 2022. If you would have told me 10 years ago, that we would witness a near coup of the American government via an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, there would be neo-fascists at Charlottesville, Virginia attacking progressive protesters, threats sent to school board members for desiring public health safety in schools, there would be a cultic movement following Donald Trump unconditionally, and extremists desiring to ban legitimate anti-racist books in schools including even public libraries, then I wouldn't believe you. Yet, these facts are real. We live in a time with the one percent (the elitists) having an inordinate power in the world. One of the most underreported stories in the world today deals with the lead poisoning found in Flint, Baltimore, and other places of America. We know that Big Pharma is linked with many multinational corporations advancing dangerous chemicals in our food and water supplies. In 1973, a computer program was developed at MIT to model global sustainability. Instead, it predicted that by 2040 our civilization would end and that in 2020 (when the quality of life is supposed to drop dramatically), it would be the start of such events. The prediction, which recently re-appeared in Australian media, was made by a program dubbed World One. It was originally created by the computer pioneer Jay Forrester, who was commissioned by the Club of Rome to model how well the world could sustain its growth. That is such a weird computer program to mention such things, but what is true that we live in times unprecedented in history. Society has a lot of groupthink which can be bad when it causes alternative voices to be suppressed. Massive Internet censorship, promotion of anti-religious themes, the growth of imperialism, and the propaganda shown by the corporate media didn't come out of thin air. From the CIA's Operation Mockingbird infiltration much of the media to the many factions of the media promoting international wars of aggression (some in the mainstream media advanced lies about the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, etc. I find it interesting that the corporate media is heavily silent on the crimes done by the CIA and MI5 for decades including the NSA corrupt illegal spying for years too), we have to be careful not to be deceived by the powers that be. Part of using discernment is to see the truth about many holidays, seeing the truth about the political establishment, and to open our eyes to the truth. It's 2022 now, and I will show free thinking information without apology. That is how I am, and I thank God for my views.
Many years ago, I wrote about voting rights. Now in 2022, it is time again to mention information on voting rights, because our voting rights are being suppressed in a level not seen before in America since the Jim Crow days. That statement is not part of exaggeration, but it's very much real. Our ancestors fought hard to promote our human rights. With a far-right movement, our rights are being depleted. These extremists are not only suppressing who can vote, but they want to control who counts the votes in general. This plan is not new. For centuries, extremists (who worship state's rights, hate the Golden Rule, and believe that only a small amount of people should have equal rights) have executed policies that harm the general welfare of our society. For example, many states of the Union back then prevented black people to vote in any election at every level of government. It took a massive movement for the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act to be passed by the American government. Also, many men and women (of many colors) lost their lives for those laws to be passed too. That is why it is important for us to realize that our freedoms must be protected. Voting rights decide who governs our schools, our Congressional seats, our judges, and other functions of our society. The lie is that voting doesn't matter. If voting never mattered, why do far right Republicans constantly try to limit who can vote and count the votes. Why do Trump supporters fear the growth of black political power and the changing demographics of American society? The obvious answer is that voting does matter for real. The movement in Selma decades ago is a clear example of courage and a reminder that we, in this generation, must do our parts to make sure that voting rights must be strengthened completely.
There is a lot of information about my 4th cousin named Geneva N. Smallwood. She was born on July 18, 1949, at Ansted, West Virginia. Her parents were James Bethel Smallwood (1923-1974) and Geneva Lena Cox (1922-1995). Geneva Lena Cox lived from April 1, 1922, to March 25, 1995 (who lived in South Bend, Indiana). Her mother Geneva Lena Cox was a retired teacher with the Head Start Program. She married James Bethel Smallwood on February 20, 1940 in Anstead, West Virginia. Geneva N. Smallwood's siblings (or the children of Geneva Lena Cox and James Bethel Smallwood) are: Kay Joyner Sr. (1940-1997), Doretta Ann Smallwood (1941-1995), Sandra Jean Smallwood Jones (1958-2015), Sarah Jane Smallwood (1953-2018), Mary Letty Smallwood (b. 1947), Deborah Zoe Smallwood Dye (b. 1955), Emma Smallwood (b. 1956), Nancy A. Smallwood (1963-1963), Ricky N. Smallwood Sr. (1962-2000), Harry Dewayne, Howard Smallood, Gary Smallwood, James B. Smallwood Jr. (1944-1981), Virginia K. Smallwood (1946-1991. She was a nurse's assistant for a nursing home in Memphis, Tennessee. She was 45 years old when she transitioned. She was married to a man named Mr. Dalton), David Alexander Smallwood (1951-1971), and Joseph Smallwood. These siblings are my 4th cousins as we share the same ancestor as George Perkins I (b. 1815). George Perkins I was my 4th great grandfather. Geneva Nazimova Smallwood with Bernell Williams had a child named Lawonda M. Smallwood (1971-2008). Lawonda Smallwood was my 5th cousin. Her children are Marcel O. Waites (b. 1990) and Amechi Smallwood. Lawonda Smallwood lived in Hyattsville, Maryland. Her parents are Bernell Williams and Geneva N. Smallwood, and she was born on August 20, 1971, in Elkhart, Indiana. By 1979, Lawonda and her parents moved to South Bend, Indiana. She lived in Washington, D.C. with her mother, Geneva, by 1985. She worked hard in the Sun Trust Bank in Washington, D.C. and desiring to be a registered nurse. Her paternal grandparents were George and Rosie Mae (Hills) Williams. Her husband was Jude Iweanogne of Washington, D.C.
We see a lot of challenges in the world, but we have some victories in the world starting in 2022. America survived its major coup plot on January 6, 2021. Trump is not President anymore after being impeached twice. Qanon (the pro-Trump cult) is in decline. We see that Chile elected a progressive leader named Gabriel Boric. He campaigned for broad reforms like universal healthcare, a higher minimum wage, etc. He won in December. There were victories of Xiomara Castro in Honduras in November and Pedro Castillo in Peru by June, and Luis Arce in Bolivia in October 2020. In Brazil, former president Lula da Silva may soon return to the Presidency via next year's elections. Latin America have been a place where the growth of the progressive movement is real. Imperialists have failed to make Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and other nations into puppet states. Former cop Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all 3 charges for the murder of George Floyd. Malaria is almost gone. The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear weapons was adopted in 2017. Unions have grown nationwide. There are over 300 strikes form hospitals to coal plants including universities. Many of them were successful.
By Timothy
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