9. Tres Tamboras
In 1981 I lived in a small village in the Barlovento region of Venezuela called Caño Negro. It was founded by West African people who had escaped from Spanish slaveholders into the jungle interior of the Venezuelan Amazon. It became a vibrant and thriving community. The rhythms, stories, symbol and song of these proud people was African through and through, now flavored by the nature of the Caribbean, the Amazon and Spanish language and culture… a truly beautiful tapestry.
The typical villagers of Barlovento lived in either mud thatched, tin roofed huts or in concrete pre-fab bungalows. Electricity and plumbing at the time were rare luxuries. Regional economy was based on cacao farming and raising beef. Both industries were highly exploitative and corrupt. It was a rough living, physically hard with very little relief or return. The people of this region may have been ‘poor’ by western world standards, but they were rich beyond measure in communal spirit!
