Biography: Lifelong Portobelo resident, Congo “Cantalante"/lead singer, and ritual specialist Simona Esquina has been singing and dancing in the Portobelo Congo tradition since she was seven years old. Part of a family whose participation in the tradition extends more then five generations, Simona's father was the renowned King in the Congo tradition, Vicente Esquina. Simona is the great-aunt co-interviewer Gustavo Esquina.
Excerpt Description: In this excerpt, Esquina shares one of her fondest childhood memories, the one and only time that her mother danced in the Congo tradition.
Entire Interview: Listen to the full interview and read the transcript.
Interviewer: Renee Alexander Craft
Secondary Interviewer: Gustavo Esquina
Date of Interview: 7-May-03
Interview Location: Interviewee's home in Portobelo, Panama
Interview Transcribed By: Gustavo Esquina
English Translation By: Oronike Odeleye
Ethnoracial Identity Discussed: Afro-Colonial, Afrodescendiente
Cultural Identity: "Revellín" or Primary singer in the Congo tradition, Congo
Location Mentioned: Portobelo, Panama
Congo Spaces:
Congo Characters: N/A
Congo Tradition Mentioned: Congo culture, Congo drumming and singing
Cultural Organization: Congos
Themes Mentioned: Community, Congo tradition, Ritual performance
Cultural Festivals: Carnival
People Mentioned: Simona's mother
Time Period Mentioned: 1932-1946
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Timestamp: 00:04:59.0-00:06:19.5
Photo by: Taken from Festival de la Pullera Conga Poster