1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Page 4 of 5

I where invited back to the home of an Afro-Mexican lady named Maria Hernandez whose family roots go back to the time of Yanga and the founding of the town. She lived in a very modest home on the outskirts of the town about twenty five miles or so from the administration offices of Yanga. As we drove down a lonely dirt road we stopped at an old abandoned plantation home that was the central hub surrounded by miles of sugar plantations. I could feel the sense of cruelty that this house once carried like long ago echoes of ghost screaming out for justice or maybe simply acknowledgement.

As we entered the small home of Maria we were offered the traditional staple of Veracruz : Tamale de elote which consist of dough, corn, and sugar added. This tamale reflects the historic links of this region with its major export "Sugar". Sugar was the main crop and a huge reason for the importation of African slaves. Its impact can be felt and seen in almost every aspect of colonial life in Veracruz.

As my interpreter and I spoke with Maria over lunch we were shortly introduced to and thin, older gentleman with intense almost piercing eyes and wearing a traditional straw Mexican hat. After a few moments his intense stoicism was broken with a very warm smile and an even more valuable conversation. Maria introduced him as Manual Sylvia who was originally from the state of Tabasco which is located directly south of Veracruz. We then got on the conversation of the ancient Olmec civilization and the origins of the ancient and mysterious founders of Mexico.

The next day Ale and I headed to the cool mountainous university town of Jalapa. Here we visited the Museum of Anthropology of Jalapa and saw first hand the magnitude of the ancient Olmec heads.

The ancient Olmec civilization is now considered to be one of the earliest great civilizations in Mesoamerica. This mysterious civilization was believed to have been centered on the southern Gulf coast in today's present states of Veracruz and Tabasco. We know far less about the Olmecs than we do about, for example the Mayans or Aztec civilizations. Many anthropologists simply assumed that their artifacts were part of the Mayan empire. The general accepted believe is that the culture arose from indigenous Native American population or the early immigrants that crossed over from the barring straight. There is another theory, more exotic, more controversial, and much more interesting to me theory that connects this ancient group of early Mexicans

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Mexico's hidden African legacy?
We want to hear your view. Write now!