Importing Afro-Colombian Instruments and Creation of Dance and Music Academy

“This project has been designed by a youth group representing the Afro Colombian Community in Nelson, New Zealand. The initiative originated due to the lack of visualisation, recognition, and awareness of the Afro Colombian community, e.g., its members. it is roots, traditions, and values, and how this negatively impact its members. For this reason, we want to implement a cultural instrument where we can make known our roots, traditions, and customs by doing several activities such as live music, cultural dances, traditions, food, etc.

We feel that there is a lack of awareness of Afro-Colombian culture and we would like to share our traditions and heritage through our music, dances, and food at this cultural event. This will help to embrace our cultural traditions, strengthen the bond with our own community members in Nelson and other cities attending the event and help us to build new connections with locals and other Community members living in New Zealand.

This organization has been a great partner in this initial phase of the project, helping to obtain financing which is critical to the Afro-Colombian National Day project

It is of great importance for us and the Afro Colombian Community in New Zealand, to be able to carry out this project, because as immigrants and former refugees, we tend to lose our cultural heritage hence losing our cultural reference and identity.

With this project we are looking forward to motivating the recognition and integration of our community, making our community and culture visible, preserving the costume that defines us as Afro Colombian, and integrating us with other ethnic communities from around New Zealand.” - Yersonb Viveros, Cimarron In Aotearoa New Zealand

Photos by Kat Beyle https://www.wiphala.co.nz/