The Untold Story of Afro-Jamaicans in Guatemala: A Conversation with Gloria Rowe
Any discussion of Guatemala would be considered incomplete without a detailed mention of the Afro-Jamaicans, a strong and vibrant community that has significantly enriched the nation’s socio-cultural fabric. In the quest to shine a light on this underrepresented community and its story, I had a conversation with Gloria Rowe, an Afro-Jamaican from Guatemala known for her book “Guillaume, Los Otros Negros” (“The Other Blacks”). Gloria shared intriguing facets of her journey, her inspirations, the battles with identity, and how she took on the task of narrating the story of the Afro-Jamaican community within Guatemala to the world.
Knowledge Beyond Borders
The narrative begins with acknowledging the incomplete presence of Afro-jamaicans in the global discourse around race and origin. Gloria took upon herself the task of filling this gap in history. “My mission has not changed. It’s still to shed light and ensure that what our ancestors contributed to the development of this country does not go unnoticed,” says Gloria. She embarks on a journey of unearthing the rich traditions, resilient histories, and remarkable contributions of Afro-Jamaicans to Guatemalan society.
The Identity Conflict
The saga of Afro-Jamaicans in Guatemala is filled with poignant paradoxes, the most striking being their identity conflict. Gloria spoke about how Afro-Jamaicans in Guatemala had gradually forgotten their Jamaican culture and were slowly losing their identity. However, her book has served as a wake-up call, a mirror held to the community to help them recollect, revalue, and regain their lost identity.
Political Impact of The Book:
Gloria talked about how her book has brought about social and political change within Guatemala. One significant achievement is the recognition of Afro-Jamaicans on the national census. Currently, a petition for official recognition of “Afro Descendants Creole” as a people in Guatemala is underway.
The Way Forward:
Gloria is presently working on the second edition of her book, with the intent to share more information that she’s gathered over the years. She sees her role as a historian and storyteller, focusing on keeping the history and contribution of her ancestors alive. Gloria talks about how books like hers help not only in recreating a lost identity but also in celebrating a rich heritage, which is her aim as she continues to journey down this path of enlightening the world about Afro-Jamaicans in Guatemala.
Conclusion:
By sharing the story of Afro-Jamaicans in Guatemala, Gloria hopes to effect change that goes beyond her book. She desires to see others step up, share their stories, and hold their identities high with pride. Thanks to trailblazers like Gloria, forgotten histories have a chance to be remembered and shared. This episode indeed serves as a testament to the power of documenting and sharing one’s history and cultural heritage.
To learn more about Gloria’s story and others like it check out my podcast Labyrinth of the First Gen
