Ancestry By Alejandro Fernandez Gutierrez

When I was 17 years old, my mom took my sisters and I to the meeting of our extended family in La Paz. I was excited to meet new cousins, uncles, aunts, but I did not expect to change my life, which is what happened.

Ancestry, ancestry, ancestros! It was a word that I heard for the very first time. I could not picture it.  Frustrated, I sat down and listened to my uncle Jorge, who said once again; “Ancestry! … Brothers and sisters let’s hold our hands together and call our ancestors, we need their energy every day.” I was confused wondering why are we calling them? Where are they? In my frustration I almost did not answer at the moment, I sat down one more time. Uncle Jorge with his strong and loud voice told us to open our eyes and feel the energy our ancestors. He said, “Can you see it? It’s there!” Since that moment I can see my ancestors everywhere and I call them every day to bless my day.

“Ancestry” was the first word I heard. Everybody around me has long curly hair and beautiful dark brown skin color. I called myself “cocoa.” With an energy that I never felt, I was welcomed to my family. I was welcomed to the circle. I was welcomed to the Saya.

My mom told me, “That girl over is your cousin. That man over there is your uncle,” but I was shy and fearful. I did not know how to fit in the circle, which was calling to me. I heard uncle Jorge to say “sit down brothers and sisters, welcome to the Saya. This is our weekly meeting and today we have good news for everybody." In that moment I realized that my family has been together for a long time. How could I have ignored them? Why I did not know about this. I was not shy or fearful anymore. I was mad and upset. My family has been together and I did not know about it.

As soon as uncle Jorge finished his warm welcome, a huge drum made an ancestral sound. I heard that sound before, but I could never imagine that this sound was coming from that drum. The huge drum, which made a tremendous sound, was called “El Tambor Mayor” (the main drum). Following this sound I heard a response coming from another drum. This small drum was called “cambiador” (the changer). Following these sounds, I heard another sound coming from the “Cuancha,” (long bamboo branch) which produce a melody like guiro. Just as if it somebody had already designed the moment, La Saya began.

Uncle Jorge started singing by first giving thanks to Isidoru Belzu, who was President of Bolivia from 1848 to 1855 and ended slavery, “Isidoro Belzu bandera gano, gano la bandera del altar mayor” (Isidoro Belzu got the flag, he got the flag of the main altar.) Following this, my aunt Gloria sang “Rindamos un Homenaje a nuestros grandes ancestors traidos de Africa del Sur, la Casa de la Moneda si sabe hablar que cosa nos contara ” (Let us pay a tribute to our great ancestors brought from Southern Africa. If the National Mint knew how to speak, the things it would tell us.)  

Then the party and happiness exploded. My mom was so happy as never before. My sisters could not stop moving their hips and I start shaking my shoulders following the rhythm of Saya. That day lives in my mind as it could have been yesterday. I will never forget the rhythm of my ancestors connecting with my blood calling me “Alejandro this is why you call on us. Saya has brought you happiness and freedom!”

Since that day I never closed my eyes again. Now I can see my family everywhere. I am part of the African Diaspora mixing my thoughts with the world. I am celebrating my diversity, and share my thoughts with everybody who wants to be part of the happiness and freedom. Thanks to my ancestors, because of you, now I know who I am.