Maybe, many of you all are wondering what does my username means... well, on this little post i'll explain its meaning and why did i choose this name.

     As you know, my country was once a colony. Spaniards started to colonize the land at the beginnings of the XVI century. As soon as the native populations (which were enslaved and forced to work in the first plantations and the pearl gathering industry) began to die because of diseases brought by european colonizers, they (the colonizers) started to bring african people as slaves, in which was known as the Atlantic Slave Trade.

enslaved africans on a slaver ship source

     These african peoples worked under harsh conditions, in an unknown land, under the terrible rule of their spanish masters. Soon, the people couldn't take it anymore, and they rebelled against their rulers, and, in most cases, they escaped to the mountains or rainforests, and formed the Maroon comunities, places were our ancestors could recover, preserve and fully express their culture. Thats why venezuelan culture has so many traits of african origin.

 A Maroon village scene in Brazil. source

     Well, one of those cultural traits is related to the speech, and that's where i'm going with the Malembe Meaning. Malembe is part of the venezuelan speech, a word mostly used in chants and songs dedicated to the Saint John the Baptist africanized version San Juan Congo during His celebrations in the central caribbean coasts of Venezuela every 24th and 25th of June. It is derived from Kikongo languange, meaning "gently" or, according to some others, a salute given to old Kongo deities.

Saint John the Baptist Afro-catholic party source

    This is one of many interesting issues regarding venezuelan and Latin American history, heritage and culture. I chose this name, because it represents my heritage. Most of my family are afro-latinoes, and i really wanted to learn about my roots, about our history, the history of all venezuelans' ancestors, that still many people rejects, shames, or feels ashamed about it.

     Soon i'll be posting more articles about the Maroon Movements in Venezuela and the Americas, and more interesting posts about our rebellious history and culture. Thank you all.