Attitudes towards Afro-Venezuelans in lyrics of gaita zuliana: 1965–1985

Abstract

ABSTRACT As with most Latin American nations, Venezuela has traditionally embraced the exceptionalist myth that it is a racial democracy. That does not mean racism is absent in that country. A combination of paternalist attitudes and pernicious stereotypes towards Afro-Venezuelans permeates throughout pop culture products. This article explores the attitudes towards AfroVenezuelans in gaita zuliana, a popular music genre in Zulia state. To do so, I rely on analysis of lyrics of some popular gaita songs, composed during the golden age of gaita, 1965–1985. I conclude that, although gaita zuliana draws upon many tropes from the history of racism, it nevertheless has potential for activism in favor of liberation from racial oppression.