In this excerpt, Solís discusses her philosophy of art and the power of community theater as a communicative tool. She is committed to theater that energizes, surprises, engages, and maintains the ability to engender change.
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Raul Orlando Jimenez Delgado Significance of Devil
In this excerpt, Jiménez discusses the significance of the devil character to the Congo tradition of Panama and his perspective on playing the Major Devil character.
Ileana Solis Palma Enchantment at Seeing Celedonio
In this excerpt, Solís discusses the enchantment she felt the first time that she witnessed Celedonio Molinar performing the role of Major Devil, the baptism of the devils, and how she learned about the performance traditions of Portobelo, Panama.
Raul Orlando Jimenez Delgado The Pujido
In this excerpt, Jiménez describes the “pujido”/”grunt” that the devil character uses to build internal energy and externalize it. He then discusses his interpretation of its relationship to the occult and a potential existential compromise.
Celedonio Molinar Symbolic Baptism of Major Devil
In this excerpt, Molinar shares his experience of being symbolically blessed or “baptized” as the Major Devil character. Just as the “pujido” or “grunt” helps to amplify internal energy, the process of being symbolically baptized helps to abate energy.
Celedonio Molinar Selling the Devil
In this excerpt, Molinar discusses the practice of symbolically selling the devil at the conclusion of the Congo game and his interpretation of what the devil character represents within the Congo tradition.
Celedonio Molinar Changes to Devil
In this excerpt, Molinar discusses a few of the changes that he has witnessed in the devil character’s embodiment within the tradition that displease him and responds to Arturo Lindsay’s question regarding the escalating violence he has witnessed with the way some younger practitioners wield their whips.
Simona Esquina Memory of Mother Dancing
In this excerpt, Esquina shares one of her fondest childhood memories, the one and only time that her mother danced in the Congo tradition.
Simona Esquina Meaning and Significance of Congo in Portobelo
In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the meaning and significance of the Congo tradition to Portobelo.
Simona Esquina Changes to the Role of the King
In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the changes she has seen in the Congo tradition over the course of her lifetime. Specifically, she talks about the ways in which the king’s role has diminished since her father once played it.