Simona Esquina Razor Blades in Devil Whips

Interviewee: Simona Esquina
Biography:
Excerpt Description: In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the changes she has seen in the Congo tradition over the course of her lifetime. Specifically, she talks about changes that she has witnessed in ways in which younger practitioners who perform the role of devil in other communities sometimes put razor blades in their whips, which violates the nature of the game.
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: Devils and Devil Tradition, Major Devil
Congo Tradition Mentioned: Continuity and change, Devil embodiment
Cultural Organization: Congos
Themes Mentioned: Congo tradition, Cultural change, Devil character
Cultural Festivals: Carnival
People Mentioned: N/A
Time Period Mentioned: 2004-present
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Timestamp: 00:22:03.9-00:24:51.7

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