Historic town founded by Black Colombians fleeing slavery eyes second independence'

"The Caribbean Colombian village that proudly calls itself the first free Black territory in the Americas is on the verge of freeing itself once again not from the Spanish crown, as it did in the early 18th century, but from local government control. Just over 300 years after Spain recognised San Basilio de Palenque as a slavery-free territory, residents of the community, just 30 miles away from the touristic hub of Cartagena, are set to vote on finally becoming an independent town."

"The town even has its own language, Palenquero, a mix of Spanish, Portuguese and African Bantu languages such as Kikongo and Kimbundu. Those who speak only Portuguese, Spanish or central African languages can't understand Palenquero because it's a unique language that mixes all of them, said Manuel Perez Salinas, 50, director of San Basilio de Palenque's Drum and Cultural Expressions festival, which held its 40th edition last weekend."

"But even as the village edges closer to its second independence, there is a sharp contrast between its cultural and historic significance and the profound lack of basic public services such as running water and sanitation. Through the heart of the district, only a handful of streets are paved, and empty lots serve as improvised rubbish dumps. The dirt roads, often occupied by chickens sometimes perched on a rooftop"

San Basilio de Palenque is a Caribbean Colombian community of about 4,000 people that proclaims itself the first free Black territory in the Americas and was recognised by Spain as slavery-free in the early 18th century. The community sits roughly 30 miles from Cartagena and remains administratively a division of Mahates while residents prepare to vote to become an independent town. The town preserves a unique Palenquero language blending Spanish, Portuguese and Bantu languages and hosts a Drum and Cultural Expressions festival. The community holds UNESCO recognition as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Basic infrastructure is severely lacking, with limited paved streets, inadequate sanitation and no consistent running water.

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