Cuba and Africa 1959-1994: Writing an alternative Atlantic history
Edited by Giulia Bonacci, Adrien Demas and Kali Argryadis
Since the triumph of its revolution Cuba’s engagement with Africa was, as Fidel said, conducted in the name of “principles, convictions and blood”. At long last, here is a welcome look at the true depth and complexity of this amazing relationship, and whilst still continuing today, this book only gets as far as Mandela becoming President of South Africa. It is a collection of new stories that transcends much of what has come before and provides “a vital and expansive opening of vistas on Cuban and African solidarity”.
In four parts and ten chapters, each one presents a case study – from Algeria to Angola, from Equatorial Guinea to South Africa. It sets out with a principal objective to ‘reread’ the Cuban experience in Africa and grasp the peoples’ stories and their affinity on levels far removed from international geopolitics and military history. It shows how much of the solidarity took place in non-militaristic fields: humanitarian and medical, scientific and educational, economic and social, cultural and artistic projects, music, religious practices and familial bonds.
It saw thousands of individuals crossing the Atlantic in both directions and it dives into their history. Those individual trajectories make up the chapters and allow the authors to engage in a decentred analysis of two of the biggest linked historical questions of the last two centuries – colonialism and racialism.
Christine Hatzky explores civil cooperation with Angola and its aftermath. She describes how Cuban interactive education techniques displaced the ‘chalk and talk’ teaching styles of colonial education and were responsible for nearly 80% of all middle year students in the 80s. In mid 1982 out of a total of 2309 foreign teachers, 1779 were Cuban.
Elina Djebbari writes about the cultural diplomacy and the intertwinement of musicians’ personal journeys, as well as the political interests fostered during the cold war between Mali and Cuba. She also sheds light on the many cultural exchanges initiated between the newly independent African countries throughout the 1960’s and 70’s.
A collection of researched scholarly work it may be, but it is well edited, referenced and has extensive notes. All of the chapters anchor the history of Cuba’s kinship with Africa from the point of view of the Africans and in the context of the then cold war, these experiences set the stage for new forms of international solidarity that are still being interpreted today. Cuba’s commitment and achievements in Africa are unique and I hope this is simply the first of many more studies.
As the USA ramps up its new cold war with China understanding the true importance of internationalism is vital. This book is inspirational and by exploring Cuba’s incredible
co-operation with Africa from 1959-94, it will hopefully strengthen an ongoing debate in South-South relations as to the future struggles ahead.
Bob Oram for CubaSi Winter 2021-22 magazine
