Négritude
This poet from Martinique coined the term Négritude and wrote Cahier d'un retour au pays natal.
Aimé Césaire
La Balada de Los Abuelos in English
+ extra 100pts for the titles meaning/significance
What is The Ballad of The Grandparents
The title emphasizes the contrast and unity between the poet’s two grandfathers; One is Black and one is white. A ballad is a musical or poetic storytelling form, symbolizing the blending of histories, struggles, and cultures that shaped Cuba’s identity.
This poem by Nicolás Guillén celebrates the rights and freedoms gained by Black Cubans after the Cuban Revolution.
What is Tengo?
Négritude emerged in this decade as a response to colonialism and racism.
1930s
The poem contrasts the experiences of these two family members.
Who are the Black grandfather and the white grandfather?
Guillén repeats the word Tengo ("I have") to emphasize this theme in the poem.
What is empowerment or equality?
This literary and political movement celebrated Black identity, African heritage, and anti-colonialism.
Négritude
The Black grandfather represents this historical experience in Cuba.
What is slavery?
Before the Cuban Revolution, Black Cubans were often denied entry into public places. In Tengo, Guillén celebrates the fact that he can now enter these spaces.
What are schools, jobs, and public buildings?
Négritude poets often wrote in this European language, due to colonial influence.
What is French?
The poem highlights racial differences but ends with this message.
What is unity or reconciliation?
In Tengo, Guillén suggests that having freedom and dignity is more important than having this material thing.
What is money?
fLéopold Sédar Senghor, a key Négritude thinker, later became the first president of this African country.
What is Senegal?
In La Balada de los Abuelos, the repeated phrase "¡Qué de barcos, qué de negros!" refers to this historical event.
"¡Qué de barcos, qué de negros!" translates to "So many ships, so many Black people!" in English
What is the transatlantic slave trade?
Tengo reflects Guillén’s support for this political system, which aimed to create equality by redistributing wealth and power in Cuba.
What is communism/socialism?