In this excerpt, Chavarría discusses the significance and meaning of the devil character in the Congo tradition.
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Carlos Chavarria Memories of Congo before the Road
In this excerpt, Chavarría shares memories about how the Congo tradition of Portobelo was enacted before “the road” opened up the town to the broader community. Then, Congo carnival was a intimate community celebration in which everyone participated.
Barrio Fino Heraldo y Abdiel y Eric Relationship to La Escuelita Del Ritmo
Abdiel Valdez discusses the relationship between Barrio Fino and the Music School/ La Escuelita Del Ritmo.
Barrio Fino Heraldo y Abdiel y Eric Long Term Goals
Abdiel Valdez shares some of the long-term goals of Barrio Fino, which include using participation in the group to help members become stronger musicians by expanding their skill set and gaining greater tools for cultural expression.
Sandra Eleta Earliest Encounters with Portobelo
In this excerpt, Sandra Eleta discusses her earliest encounters with Portobelo and how the generous acts of a man from the French Antilles named Dorcy caused her to settle and work in Portobelo.
Carlos Chavarria Most Important Things to Know about Congo in Portobelo
In this excerpt, Chavarría responds to the question, “One hundred years in the future when scholars are studying the Congo tradition in Portobelo, what are the most important things that they should know?”
Ileana Solis Palma Participation in Los Trashumantes
In this excerpt, Ileana discusses her participation with “Los Trashumantes,” the only theater group in Panama that was paid to do community theater and the Omjar Torrijos’ support for artistic culture.
Carlos Chavarria Devil Greetings, Baptisms, and Crossing Feet
In this excerpt, Chavarría discusses the way in which hierarchies of Congo Devils greet one another, how they are baptized within the tradition, and the importance of crossing one’s feet and “dancing” in the devil way.
Carlos Chavarria Playing Devil from Emotion
In this excerpt, Chavarría talks about the importance, for him, of playing the Devil character from “emotion” and his decision to break away from a particular ritual that marked his mentor’s embodiment of Major Devil.
Carlos Chavarria Becoming Major Devil
In this excerpt, Chavarría discusses the process by which he became Major Devil in the Congo tradition of Portobelo, Panama.