Bilingual Resources and Books for Studying Black History and Culture in Latin America

Shadows which only I see,
I’m watched by my two grandfathers.

A bone-point lance,
a drum of hide and wood:
my black grandfather.

A ruff on a broad neck,
a warrior’s gray armament:
my white grandfather.

So begins the poem “Ballad of my Two Grandfathers” by Cuban writer Nicolás Guillén. Published in 1934, this pseudo-autobiographical work recounts one man’s search for self and what he finds when he explores his ancestors’ histories. In “Ballad of my Two Grandfathers” Guillén focuses on two grandfather figures—one Spanish, one African—who represent the two main elements of Cuban culture. Verse by verse, Guillén contrasts the lives of these characters, one defined by exploration and conquest, and the other, by suffering and enslavement. At the end of the poem, their parallel stories meet. Guillén depicts the two grandfathers embracing, crying, and singing together, united in their love for their Cuban grandson. In this child, their two histories are reconciled, and their two cultures of origin, united.

This poem, one of the most celebrated of Guillén’s long career, has been lauded by critics for its vibrant depiction of Cuba’s national identity, which is defined by its mixed Spanish and African roots. At a time when Jim Crow still reigned and lynching remained a significant threat to African-Americans in the United States, Cuba was celebrating its black heritage and cultivating art inspired by its African elements.

This morning, in acknowledgement of Black History Month, I offer this poem as a reminder that black history is global history. If that’s already obvious to you—that’s wonderful! But I will admit that it’s something that I learned as an adult. Despite having a pretty good education, I don’t think that I even thought about black history outside of the United States and Africa until I was in college and heard this poem in one of my Spanish classes. For that reason, among many others, I want to give my children a broader perspective, and the resources that I’m featuring today are part of my attempt to do that. And to be honest, since I also spent four years writing a dissertation on this subject (including a chapter on Guillén’s poetry), it’s also a way for me to share a very personal love with my kids.

So, while we spend this month (rightfully) focused on African-Americans’ contributions to U.S. History, know that there is so much more to learn. And if you’re curious, dive right in—this booklist is for you! Unless otherwise indicated, these resources are available in English or in a bilingual format. I encourage you to use them to expand the study of black history in your homeschool, and to learn more about the fascinating histories of African-descended people throughout the world.

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Afro-Latin History and Culture in the United States

Growing Up Pedro by Matt Tavares—This biography of famed baseball player Pedro Martínez will appeal to sports lovers of all ages. It recounts how Martínez, hailing from an African-descended Dominican family, rose to become one of the most celebrated baseball players of our time. This isn’t just about baseball, however—it’s also about the importance of family ties. Growing Up Pedro spends a lot of time discussing Pedro’s relationship with his older brother, Ramón, who was both his competition and his greatest fan through most of their childhood and professional careers. Also available in Spanish. Ages 5+.

Schomburg, the Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford—If you’re a bibliophile like me (and I think most other homeschool moms are), you probably love a good story about books, and especially about other book collectors. This picture book tells the story of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, the Afro-Puerto Rican intellectual who, in the early 1900’s, built the largest and most comprehensive library of works by and about people of African descent. Defying the culture of his time, which stressed the inferiority of his race, Schomburg dedicated his life to dignifying black history and culture. Reading this book, it is impossible to ignore his diligence and courage in doing so. Also available in Spanish. Ages 8+.

Black History and Culture in Cuba

Drum, Dream Girl by Margarita Engle—This engaging picture book tells the life story of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Afro-Chinese Cuban who defied the gender norms of her day to become one of Cuba’s most celebrated musicians. At a time when women were not allowed to learn to play the drums in Cuba, Zaldarraiga fell in love with these instruments, and with the help of her grandfather, learned to play them well enough to drum in Cuba’s first all-girl band, which she founded along with her sisters. Ages 3+.

La vida de Celia by Patty Rodriguez—Lil’ Libros bilingual board books are a fun introduction to Hispanic culture and Spanish vocabulary for your tiniest readers (Gus is a fan!). Simple text (one word per page) and engaging pictures will hold their attention and help you learn some new words in Spanish. Ages 0+.

My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia by Monica Brown—This colorful, award-winning book introduces young audiences to Celia Cruz, the ironic Cuban singer, who did more than perhaps any other artist to popularize salsa music around the world. It describes her life growing up in a musical family, her time traveling around the Cuban countryside to compete in singing competitions, and her rise to fame as an international salsa star. There is quite a bit of text to the book, so it’s a longer read-aloud, but its lively text (replete with musical sounds of its own), easily holds kids’ attention. When you’re finished with the book, you might enjoy watching this vintage clip of Celia performing on Sesame Street. Ages 4+.

The Poet Slave of Cuba by Margarita Engle—A biography in verse of Juan Francisco Manzano, Cuba’s “slave poet.” The book’s lyrical writing reflects Manzano’s own skill with the written word and brings beauty to the narration of an otherwise brutal existence. Born free, Manzano became a slave at the age of 10 followed the death of his parents, and he suffered greatly at the hands of his cruel mistress. After you finish Engle’s biography, you can listen to some of Manzano’s own poetry (in Spanish) with the National Library of Spain’s free recording. Ages 12+.

Por el mar de la Antillas anda un barco de papel by Nicolás Guillén—This Spanish-language book of children’s poetry is by Nicolás Guillén, Cuba’s national poet laureate and a translator (and friend) of Langston Hughes. I love Guilén’s poetry for its African-inspired rhythms and vocabulary and its fascinating themes of identity and place. The poems in this collection are also extremely accessible to children and very easy to memorize. If you want to understand the history of Cuba and Cuban national identity, you must read Guillén’s poetry, and this anthology is a great way to start. Ages 5+.

The Surrender Tree/El árbol de la rendición by Margarita Engle—Another award-winning biography in verse by Margarita Engle, this book tells the story of the folk hero Rosa la Bayamesa. Born a slave in Bayamo, Cuba (the origin of her nickname “la Bayamesa”), Rosa was liberated as an adult, and distinguished herself through her courageous service to Cuba’s mambi (rebel) army during the country’s second and third wars for independence. Her work as a nurse and seamstress eventually earned her the title “Capitana” in the mambi army, an honor earned by very few women in Cuba’s history. Age 12+.

Black History and Culture in Brazil

How Night Came from the Sea by Mary-Joan Gerson—Much of Brazilian culture features the African goddess Iemanjá, deity of the sea and one of the chief figures in Brazil’s syncretistic religion of Candomblé. Where my host family lived in Salvador de Bahía, images of Iemanjá could be found everywhere from billboards to beauty products—she was such an important figure in local culture. This book, printed with dramatic lithographs, tells the myth of how Iemanjá brought night to the earth and is useful for a comparative study of creation myths. Ages 4+.

Pelé King of Soccer by Monica Brown—Growing up so poor that he had to use a grapefruit as a soccer ball, nothing in Pelé’s childhood hinted that he would become one of the greatest soccer players in history. This picture book features wonderful impressionist illustrations that convey the energy and emotion of Pelé’s skill, and celebrate his accomplishments as an international soccer star. Ages 3+.

Black History and Culture in Peru

Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert by Gary D. Schmidt—This book, which was recognized with the Pura Belpré Award for its excellent illustrations, is a biography of Martín de Porres, the first black saint of the Americas. Born into poverty, the son of a black mother and a white father, in Lima, Perú, Martín faced great adversity in life, including discrimination against his mixed race status. Called to a life of religious service as an adult, Porres distinguished himself among his Dominican brothers through his humble service to his monastery and his tender care for the poor and sick of Lima. Ages 4+.

My Hope: More Histories to Discover

While these books provide an excellent introduction to black history in Latin America, it is my hope that they are just the first in a growing collection on this subject. There is so much left to explore: the historic black communities of Mexico’s Costa Chica, for example, or abolitionist movements in Brazil. There are heroes whose names we don’t know yet, and I want to learn about them! I am looking forward to new authors who will write about these lesser-known histories and so teach us more about the fascinating people and cultures that have come before us.

Do you have another resource on black history in Latin America to recommend? Please leave us a note in the comments!