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Simona Esquina Meaning and Significance of Congo in Portobelo

In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the meaning and significance of the Congo tradition to Portobelo.

November 1, 2023

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.

November 1, 2023

Simona Esquina Significance of Congo Name

In this Excerpt, Esquina discusses the significance of her Congo name “Revellin.”

November 1, 2023

Simona Esquina Differences in Costumes

In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the differences between the costumes of the Congo community of Portobelo and other Congo communities in Panama.

November 1, 2023

Simona Esquina Memory of Father as Congo King

In this excerpt, Esquina recounts watching her father, Vicente Esquina, get dressed as the Congo King and accompanying him to the palenque/palacio to play Congo. Memories of her father’s participation as king mark some of Esquina’s earliest recollections of the tradition.

November 1, 2023

Simona Esquina Presentations about Congo

In this brief excerpt, Esquina discusses occasions on which the community offers presentations of Congo performance locally as well as abroad and her perception of their response to the tradition.

November 1, 2023

Simona Esquina Significance of Congo Game and Dance

In this brief excerpt, Esquina discusses the significance of the Congo game and Congo dance including how prominently performing as a primary singer has figured into her life.

November 1, 2023

Simona Esquina Pride for Congo Tradition

In this excerpt, Esquina discusses her pride for the Congo tradition and its importance to the towns of Panama’s upper coast.

November 1, 2023

Simona Esquina Razor Blades in Devil Whips

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.

November 1, 2023
Congos Posing For Pictures After Tourist Presentation (Photo by Oronike Odeleye)

Simona Esquina Beginning of Congo Season

In this brief excerpt, Esquina describes the ways in which Congo season begins in Panama on the feast day of San Sebastian with the raising of the Congo flag.

November 1, 2023