Afro-Colombian Day

Content for Grades P - 3

During the month of May, the whole country of Colombia comes together to honor and celebrate Afro-Colombian music, recognizing its significance and paying homage to the contributions of Afro-Colombians to the nation's rich cultural heritage.

It is a time to dance, sing, and rejoice in the power and beauty of Afro-Colombian music and continue the work towards equality and recognition for Afro-Colombians in all aspects of society. In addition to music and dance, child games hold a special place in the Afro-Colombian culture of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

These games, often passed down through generations, are cherished as a way to preserve and pass on the cultural traditions and values of the Afro-Colombian communities. Children engage in playful activities such as Eya Bé and El Mueve Que Mueve, two games that we will explore through the following material.

Play the following song and ask students to dance along, when the music stops, the student who is still moving will answer one of the questions in the questions in the sidebar.

After the song, discuss as a class the following questions:

• What are some games that you play with your friends?
• Who taught you this game?
• Where do you think that game comes from?
• Do you play any game that comes from another country or culture?
  

Afro-Colombian children in the Pacific, Caribbean, and Insular regions, play traditional games that they have learned from ancestors who arrived from Africa to Colombian coasts.

Plenty of these games include instruments, rhythms, movements, and words that have African roots and represent their heritage. Children in these communities play varied kinds of games at school with their teachers and friends or at home with their families.

Replay the warm-up song from Activity 1 and guide students so they can recognize the instruments being played and the language being spoken. The language is xhosa one of the 11th official languages in South Africa

Then, take a look at the original and translated lyrics for the song Eya Bé and share the meaning with students. If you want you can play the suggested video where some children are actually singing and playing the song.

Once students have familiarized themselves with the rhythm, you can explain the meaning of the song, and sing it with them.

Drill with them a couple of times adding a few body parts, such as, cabeza, manos, hombros, and do not forget to add movement.

Whenever you consider students are ready, play the song and enjoy!

View Lyrics Here (Scroll Down)