African Matrix Cultural Production: Toward a Model of Sustainable Human Development in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba and Salvador, Bahia Brazil
Author:
Alicia Maria Sanabria
Degree Date:
May, 2005
Committee Chairperson:
Salah Hassan
Call Number:
Thesis DT 3.5 2005 S271
Description:
xv, 160 leaves: ill.; 28 cm.
Abstract:
This thesis investigates African matrix cultural production as an avenue of sustainable human development through a study of two African Diaspora communities in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba and Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The point of departure of this study is Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian cultural expressions of music, dance and performing arts as realms filled with a plethora of tangible and intangible benefits for the grassroots participants in these communities. This study suggests that cultural productions of the African matrix are filled with socio-cultural, educational, political, and economic community development potential.
This research aims to provide African matrix cultural producers with agency and voice in addressing the issues of grassroots Black cultural production. The study included field research in Cuba and Brazil. The cultural producers in Santiago de Cuba are Ireme and Mystere du Vaudoun d’Hayti en Cuba. In Brazil, the cultural producers are Grupo Cultural Baguncaco and lle Aiye. These grassroots cultural producers maintain and disseminate African matrix cultural expressions within their respective predominantly African descended communities. They also serve as ambassadors to disseminate their rich cultural traditions to other communities, cities, states, and in some cases, to other countries.