Discounted, socially ignored and made invisible, Afro-Bolivians have never been recognized as a legitimate ethnic group in their country.
Preview ‘We of the Saya,’ a documentary on Bolivia’s ignored Afro-Bolivian Community
We of the Saya (Nosotros los de la Saya) is a touching Bolivian feature documentary directed and produced by Sisa Bueno, of Dominican and Cuban descent.
Through the film, we are introduced to a marginalized Afro-Bolivian community led by a farmer, Martina Barra Pedredos. She has political aspirations to empower her discounted, neglected community – descendants of African slaves who arrived in Bolivia four centuries ago.
We of the Saya speaks to the systematic problem of invisibility affecting Afro-Latinos throughout Latin America. With hopes to broadcast on public television in the U.S., Bolivia and abroad, the documentary also aspires to serve as an educational tool within Africana and/or Latino studies programs, as well as a cultural awareness and tolerance tool.
It should be noted that in August 2012, the Bolivian government announced that the new census will count Afro-Bolivians for the first time. “This is an important milestone incorporating Afro-Bolivian identity for the National Census to be held this year, so that it will enable, once the final results can be generated development policies for this sector,” said a legislator.
Watch the preview below and keep up with the film on Facebook and Twitter @weofthesayafilm.
