Blackness In Afro-ecuadorian Literature

Adalberto Ortiz is one of the greatest Ecuadorian writers,and his works are prominent representatives of the Afro-Hispanic literature in Latin America.Given his mulatto condition,Ortiz grew up between two cultures and two identities and experienced racism and class discrimination in his flesh.In his writing,he recreates the Ecuadorian blackness and its evolution,notably in his novel Juyungo,winner of the National Prize for the best Ecuadorian novel of 1942,in which he recounts the life of the Afro-Ecuadorians and their relations with other ethnic groups within a period of more or less thirty years.By applying a critical intercultural communication approach,this thesis analyzes how power relationships affect the intercultural exchange and the construction,consciousness,and interpretation of Afro-Ecuadorians' blackness portrayed in the novel Juyungo.Consequently,it argues that Ecuadorian blackness is a process of permanent cultural adaptation,transformation,and enrichment resulting from intercultural contacts influenced by racial,political,and social structures of power.The thesis also defends that Ecuadorian blackness is the resistance against subordination,racism,and social injustice caused by power disparities.The thesis concludes that Ecuadorian blackness is a very intricate cultural construct,which originates from a process of modification of the original African culture through intercultural relationships influenced by structures of power.Finally,it claims that,by preserving their African legacy,Afro-Ecuadorians treasure and vindicate their blackness.