Near the city of Muzquiz, Coahuila, lives a small population of black people, El Nacimiento de los Negros, descendants of the ones called black Seminoles in the United States. The black Seminoles were of African origin who assimilated with many North American indigenous groups from the Florida region. Together these people formed the Seminole confederation, (the word Seminole has its origin on the Spanish word “cimarrón”).

In 1850, running away from the territorial politics of slavery and racial discrimination in the United States, the mascogos (black Seminoles) sought asylum in Mexico, where after serving as border troops in the north of the country, they were given lands and the Mexican nationality.

The Mascogo/Black Seminole culture combines African-American spirituals, Indian fry-bread, and Tex-Mex cowboy culture. Their old religion was based in dream divination, and their old language combined West African, Native American, English, and Spanish. But these old ways have been dying along with the elders who practiced them, and young Mascogo and Black Seminoles have lost touch with a heritage which is not taught in school and which risks total assimilation into mainstream Mexican and U.S. culture. Filmed on both sides of the border, this video documents the complex history of people of African descent caught between national boundaries, and the efforts of their descendants to maintain their culture and instill a sense of pride in future generations of this warrior people.

Reviews:
This film does the difficult job of bringing together the history of Blacks in Mexico - a long over looked aspect of Mexican history and culture. African influence is evidenced in established traditions, names, dances, music and religious iconography. The filmmaker uses original artwork, interviews, music, and cultural activities as a way of pointing out the African influences now ingrained in Mexican culture.
Elise Vidal, Educational Media Reviews Online

Recommended
Educational Media Reviews Online

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Institutional: $150.00
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