From Buenos Aires to Dakar: art as a tool for reconquering Afro-Argentine identity
A Hidden Past: Argentina’s African Roots
During the 18th and 19th centuries, blacks and mestizos represented more than half the population in several major Argentine cities. However, their presence and contribution to society were gradually erased from national history. This invisibility left deep scars on Argentina’s cultural identity, often perceived as exclusively European.
The Dakar Biennale: a stage for forgotten memory
The recently concluded Dakar Biennale shed light on this little-known history through an exhibition entitled Cartographies utopiques . Housed at the Parcelles Assainies town hall on the outskirts of Dakar, the exhibition featured the work of a collective of Argentinian and Brazilian artists. These artists explore African memory in Argentina, denouncing official narratives that have erased Afro-Argentines from the collective imagination.
A dialogue between cultures: art as a bridge
Led by Boubacar Traoré, a curator and art historian based in Buenos Aires for over 30 years, the event offered a reinterpretation of Argentine history. “Argentina is a partly forgotten African nation. Culture, music and even culinary traditions have their roots in this African past,” explains Traoré. Through sculptures, paintings and multimedia installations, the artists sought to reconstruct this lost link and open a dialogue between Buenos Aires and Dakar.
Afro-Argentines Today: A Community in Search of Recognition
Afro-Argentines, although few in number today, continue to fight for recognition of their heritage. Cultural initiatives and artistic works such as those presented in Dakar contribute to giving a voice to this marginalized community. Moreover, the links between Africa and Latin America, particularly with Brazil and its Afro-descendant populations, offer promising prospects for a transatlantic identity reconciliation.
Conclusion: from invisibility to identity resurgence
The Dakar Biennale played a crucial role in shedding light on Argentina’s long-neglected African past. The exhibition Cartographies utopiques recalls the importance of art as a tool to redress historical injustices and reinvent identities. This dialogue between Dakar and Buenos Aires is a step towards a better understanding of the deep connections between Africa and Latin America.
