AFRICAN DIASPORA AT THE CROSSROAD:
Congo Carnival Play and Dance in Portobelo, Panama

with Artist - Scholar
Dr. Arturo Lindsay
of Spelman College

March 6 - March 13, 2011
Click here to Register Online

Description:

Join Taller Portobelo Norte and Artist-Scholar Dr. Arturo Lindsay, March 6-13, in Portobelo, Panama for African Diaspora at the Crossroad, a unique embodied exploration of the African retentions at play during Congo Carnival.

Carnival in Portobelo Panama is one of the most unique experiences in the African Diaspora. During Carnival, the Congos - descendants of enslaved Africans - dress in old clothing, representing the discarded clothing of their enslavers, wearing them backwards or inside out. The Congos play in the streets and palenques - fortified villages - performing in an exaggerated, playful style, further ridiculing the manners of the Spaniards.

Other carnival participants create elaborate devil costumes, some costing hundreds of dollars and taking many months to build, that represent the evils of slavery, and run through the streets chasing, whipping and playing with the participating villagers.

The Major devil, head of all the Carnival devils, leaves his home on the last night to dance the Diablo Tun Tun with the Congo Queen, a power struggle that doesn't end until she is able to jump on his back and throw them both onto the drums.

Carnival is complete when all of the devils have been caught and baptized, thus cleansing the souls of the enslavers and the community as a whole of the evils of slavery.

Congo Carnival Activities also include late night bar and restaurants serving good, cheap food, beer and gossip; all night parties in the discoteca blaring salsa, merengue, and bachata; and the palenque where carnival participants drum and dance for as long as they can stay awake. Locals are also treated to special house visits by the Congo Queen and her court that roam the streets singing and dancing in exchange for bottles of rum, plates of food and monetary gifts.

Trip Schedule:

Sun. March 6th Arrival Transportation to Portobelo Dinner	Mon. March 7th Breakfast Orientation Talk: Congos of Panama Tour of Portobelo Lunch Talk: Art & Aesthetics of Taller Portobelo Dinner* Carnival Activities	Tues. March 8th Breakfast Optional Painting Workshop* Lunch Congo Dance Workshop Dinner* Devil Dressing Ceremony Diablo Tun Tun Dance Carnival Activities	Wed. March 9th Breakfast Optional Painting Workshop* Lunch Beach Dinner* Baptizing the Devils Carnival Activities
Thurs. March 10th Breakfast Panama City Day Trip Miraflores Locks Casco Viejo Ruins of Old Panama Souvenir Shopping Lunch in Panama City* Return to Portobelo Dinner	Fri. March 11th Breakfast Day Trip to Colon Visit Gatun Locks Zona Libre Colon Market Souvenir Shopping Lunch in Colon* Return to Portobelo Dinner	Sat. March 12th Breakfast Day trip to Nombre de Dios & Isla Grande Beach Lunch at Isla Grande Visit Congo Master Artist: Ariel Jimenez Return to Portobelo Dinner*	Sun. March 13th Depart Panama

* indicates additional cost/responsibility of participant
Dinner Options - Participants may buy groceries and use the communal kitchen or eat out at any one of the local restaurants serving tradtional caribbean food for $5-$10 a plate. Participants do not have to cover dinner on the 6th, 10th and 11th.

Fee:

$1250 per person

Fee Includes:

Airport Pickup & Drop Off
Daily Breakfast & Lunch
Double Room Accommodations
English Speaking Tour Guides
Historical Tour of Portobelo
Day Trip to Panama City
Day Trip to Colon
Day Trip to Nombre de Dios & Isla Grande Resort Town
2 Beach Trips
Congo Dance Workshop
Exploration of Congo History Lecture
Talk on Art & Aesthetics of Taller Portobelo
Visit with Panamanian Artists

Not Included:

Roundtrip Airfare
Dinner and Meals outside of Taller Portobelo
Congo Painting Workshop (optional - $100 per person)
Souvenirs
Tips

Deadline:

Friday, February 25, 2011

How to register:

Click here to Register Online