11 Times Black And Latino Culture Linked Up - Essence

11 Times Black And Latino Culture Linked Up – Essence

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From food to dance to music, Black influence– from West and Central Africa especially– has shaped many popular Latino traditions. Considering that Latin America received 96% of all African slaves, our impact isn’t surprising.

For the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is recognized from September 15 to October 15, we’re looking at some of the ways Black and Latino culture have linked up throughout Latin America.

Mofongo, a Puerto Rican dish, comes from Angola

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Mangu, found in the Dominican Republic, is a pounded plantain dish that stems from West African fufu, pictured below on the right

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The word (and dance) cha cha cha originates from Angola

Aerial photo from the capital of Angola, Luanda | Getty

The Dominican Republic’s merengue music comes from Senegal and Gambia

Gorée in Senegal | Getty

Argentina’s tango has roots in Congo and Angola

Kinshasa, Congo | Getty

Ancestors from Angola and Congo really were popping, because they also birthed samba music and dance in Brazil

Salsa music and dance in Cuba emerged from Haitian immigrants and enslaved Africans

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Bachata in the DR has African, indigenous, and Spanish elements

Reggaeton fuses Jamaican dancehall, Afro-Panamanian Spanish reggae, and Black American hip hop

Reggaeton artists Pitbull and Don Omar | Getty

Cuban Santeria is based on West African religion, which centers around an orisha celebrated among Yoruba and Bantu people in Southern Nigeria, Senegal and Guinea Coast

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In the Dominican Republic, some practice a mix of Santeria, Haitian Vodou and Christianity

Gaga ceremony in Batey Consuelo, in the east of the Dominican Republic | Getty

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