WHO ARE THE CONGOS?
The Congos of Portobello are the descendants of the Maroons, who have preserved the stories of their ancestors in a living tradition turned into a work of art. To witness a Congo dance is like traveling in time, achieving strength and power as the dancers approach their African ancestors of the seventeenth century.
The Congos had been viewed in the past as enacting a kind of buffoonery, but as in other diaspora contexts of masquerade, spiritual play and celebration, they are also a means of subterfuge and resistance.
The Congo performance begins on January 20th, with the raising of a black-and-white flag, and ends on Ash Wednesday with a ritual called "the baptism of the devils" in which the participants remove their masks and give in to God.
CHARACTERS OF THE CONGO DANCE
JUAN DE DIOSO: This it is the black slave, mysterious and invisible, who is said to have organized his brothers and taught them the road to freedom.
THE QUEEN: Wife of Juan de Dioso, courageous and faithful, assures that her mandates are fulfilled. She organizes games, authorizes food and festivities, issues decrees, and awards and contributes assets of the kingdom. She has more authority than the king.
EL PAJARITO: (Little Bird) Son of Juan de Dioso and the queen. He is a messenger between the spirits and the participants.
JUAN DE DIOSITO: Brother of el pajarito, bodyguard of the queen and brother of the “mínimas” or princesses.
HOJARASQUINES: They are known as “negros machos” ("black males"), so called because they were the first to escape to the mountain.
BARRE CON TODO: (sweep with all) As the name implies, he sweeps away all that he encounters, and that to his judgment can work in favor of his peers. What he finds he takes to the king, who decides to seize, or levy fines for its return.
AGARRADÓ: This character is the police of the kingdom. He takes charge of carrying the offenders before the kings.
EL LETRADO: Is the commentator and interpreter of the kingdom, regarding codes and laws.
EL TROYANO: Represents the main buyer of fugitive slaves.
EL CAZADOR: By order of the queen, is responsible for killing little bird. He is responsible for reporting and destroying traitors.
EL DIABLO: (the devil) The “diablos” representing evil spirits come out in public on Ash Wednesday and whip anyone who challenges them, then they are "baptized," a form of ritual public expiation for the coming Easter holiday but obviously also a mimetic recreation of the enslaved ancestors' experiences. The image of the devil represented in these Congo traditions is the same as in the Catholic religion. But beyond the symbolism of evil it also evokes the master who struck, enslaved, punished and subjected them to servitude for centuries.
During the Congo festival, the costumes and masks are a true example of the ingenuity, creativity and talent of the artisans.