Cañete: Cradle and capital of the black national art

Yes sir... Cañete is one of the most attractive valleys on the central coast, at only one hour and a half to the south of Lima. Cañete is, for many people, synonymous of Black Art. It is one of the major settlements of Black People in the country. As a demonstration that the fiesta is in Cañete, every August people crowd the valley on a Festival of Black Art performed to celebrate the Week of Cañete to the beat of happiness and "cajón".

By: Iván Reyna Ramos 

The Black ethnic-racial group brought to Peru a new culture and a new way of thinking, which the Western World tried to minimize and marginalize as barbarian expressions. Their dialects and art were treated in a contemptuous way and even considered diabolical.

The system has kept Black People relegated for many centuries and has even tried to eradicate their identity. Nevertheless, their incorporation to the national population has had a profound impact because of their folk knowledge which has achieved sui generis presence and artistic permanence through organization and discipline.

These considerations demonstrate that the province of Cañete is also a clear example of symbiosis. The strong presence of Black People can be felt when we see 'all-blood' people performing their music and dances and succumb to their charm and irresistible 'beat' that keeps the mysteries of an ancient history.

The celebration of the Spanish Foundation Anniversary of Villa Santa Maria de Cañete was institutionalized in 1957. However, these celebrations were simple and significant and it was necessary to incorporate a valuable element to highlight the events on that date: the Black Art. In this way, on May 27, 1971, when the Provincial Council of Cañete was being run by the distinguished Hispanic mayor Alfredo De Toro Moreno, the plenary session granted him special powers to appoint a Commission of Holidays for "The Week of Cañete."

Indeed, the Commission worked indefatigably gathering many Black Art-related concerns, which were discussed on a full session carried out on August 12, 1971. Then the celebration of the First Festival of Black Art was agreed.

The organization of the event was entrusted to Nicomedes Santa Cruz, the famous writer of ten-line stanzas and expert in National Black Art. The first festival was celebrated on Sunday, August 29, 1971 exceeding all expectations, and the Provincial Council was congratulated by the press, the institutions, and the people identified with the Black Art and its exponents.

The emergence of the cultural and artistic heritage of Black People constitutes the presence of one more piece or wheel of our complex Peruvian identity. The patient labor to enable that emergence was carried out in Cañete through the organization of the First Festival of Black Art in 1971. This event has allowed this province to achieve the legal recognition for the whole creative spectrum in the mentioned Art through the National Direction of Intellectual Property, by means of the following relevant entries:
"Cañete, Cradle of the Festival of the Black Art" 
"Cañete, Cradle and Capital of the Black Art"
"Queen of Rhythm"
"Queen of Festejo Dance" 
"August 12, Day of the Black Art" 
"Festival of the Black Art" 
"First Festival of the Black Art"
"Festival of the Negroid Song"
"Festival of the Black Women"

It is necessary to point out that the nine entries obtained between October and December 1991 were the result of a long process undertaken since 1990. Moreover, the wish of the people of Cañete to have a well-deserved recognition within the Black Art has their precedent in 1971 with the acknowledgement of local and national artists and groups. The most important of these events have been the Contest to choose Miss Rhythm and Miss Festejo. Subsequently, the new contest of Miss Congeniality was established in 1972 and the First Festival of the "Black Song" was included in 1975. 

The creative knowledge of Black Art is significant in Cañete. That is why, in 1990, the Provincial Council of Cañete requested the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, and Integration that Cañete be recognized as "Cradle and Capital of the Peruvian Black Art."

Black Art and Folklore have gained respect with discipline and order. Now, the groups that encourage dance and music must face up to the challenge and responsibility of keeping the high award already conquered in the legal and artistic fields. All Peruvians and people from Cañete have been imbued with Black Art, but the representative groups are the responsible for the vivid promotion of multiple festivities at local and national level.

Besides all the abovementioned characteristics about Black Art in Cañete, the highlights are the production of Anniversaries and Patron Saint Feasts in all Districts of the Province, which are celebrated all through the calendar year with the active participation and entertainment of the settlers.

<< Back