READING

READING

HOMEWORK

 1.- COPY THE READING TO NOTEBOOK AND  DO A  SHORT SUMMARY OF THE 30 WORDS.(COPIE LA LECTURA AL CUADERNO Y HAGA UN PEQUEÑO RESUMEN EN INGLES DE 30 PALABRAS)

2.-  MAKE A DRAW ABOUT THE READING( HAGA UN DIBUJO SOBRE LA LECTURA)

The Mama Negra: 

With the awakening of the Cotopaxi Volcano, a miraculous event marked the cultural essence of Latacunga inhabitants.

History tells that the locals, in the face of the eruption, organized a conciliating pilgrimage proclaiming the Virgin of la Merced as the matron of the city.

The virgin calmed the volcano, and as a sign of gratitude, the latacungeños began a celebration in her honor.

At the time of the eruption, African slaves were being brought by the Spanish conquerors to work in mines. The locals, impressed by their appearance, incorporated their arrival into the celebrations and named the festival “The Black Mama.”

We now celebrate this festivity in September and the first Saturday before November 11, when the city celebrates its independence. 

 the mama negra is a liberated slave, matriarch of african slaves that were brought to work in the gold mines surrounding the city. She rides a dark horse, giving thanks to the city matron (the Virgin) for the favors received.

Today, the Mama Negra is the main character in the festivity. This characters is represented by a man dressed as a woman. He paints his face black, lips flashy red, and uses a curly haired wig with colorful ribbons and fake pearls. He also uses large golden earrings and elegant necklaces, a fine silk blouse with colorful and bright designs, a long skirt and an embroidered shawl.

The Mama Negra uses white gloves and carries her daughter “Manuelita Baltazara”and a “sopleta” (bottle) full of perfumed milk, that is splashed over the public. Behind her, on the same horse, she carries two kids as a symbol of fertility.