The Representation of Afro-descendants in Panamanian Contemporary Literature

• In Event: Literatura y Traducción, Espacios De Representación / Literature And Translation—Loci Of Representation

Abstract

Panama’s Afro legacy has deep roots, beginning with the African diaspora during the period of Spanish conquest and subsequent colonization. Because of its geographical position, the Isthmus of Panama was seen as a site of transit where people from different countries of the world converge. In addition to the arrival of blacks during the slave trade, there were three major labor migration waves to the isthmus between 1850 and 1914. During this period, thousands of workers were needed for the construction of the first interoceanic railway (1850-1855), the initial construction of the canal by France (1880 – 1889), and the completion of the Panama Canal by the United States. Many of the workers who arrived on the isthmus at that time were of African descent, and the majority came from the Caribbean islands. Although some of these immigrants returned to their countries of origin, many others remained and blended with the Afro-descendants already established in the isthmus since colonial times and that as a whole constitute a strong presence in the Republic of Panama.
Panama’s diverse racial composition is represented in Panamanian literature. The representation of Afro-descendants in literary works requires an understanding of the various black diasporas that converged on the isthmus at different historical times; the political and social trajectories in play during the time period covered by the texts; and influences on the author during the writing process. This presentation will address these influences as portrayed in the writings of some contemporary Panamanian authors.

Author

• Ana George, King University