Fiesta of Tumba Francesa de Bejuco in Holguín
- Written by Rosana Rivero Ricardo
- Published in Culture
- Hits: 1949
The Tumba Francesa de Bejuco, in the Holguín municipality of Sagua de Tánamo, is an example of party, drum and joy.
This dance-music group of Franco-Haitian origin is also synonymous with history, culture, tradition. It has also been declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage, since November 7, 2003, by UNESCO, together with its similar La Caridad de Oriente, in Santiago de Cuba and La Pompadour Santa Catalina de Ricci, in Guantánamo.
The Tumba Francesa de Bejuco is the only one that is preserved in the rural environment where it was created, with its dances, drums, costumes ... The instruments are approximately two centuries old, only the leathers have been changed, as it was confirmed by Elivania Lamot Lara, coordinator of the group and great granddaughter of Candelaria Noblet.
The beautiful black slave Candelaria Noblet was the one who brought to Bejuco the tradition of the dances in the style of the court of Louis XVI -minuet, gavotte-, but driven by the rhythm of African drums and singing in Creole. The Tumba Francesa has been maintained for six generations and it is currently composed of 26 members, who learned dances and touches since childhood.
Most of them are peasants. They grow coffee, like their ancestors. There is only one graduated in Economic and one physiotherapist by profession. For her part, Elivania is a Master in Education Sciences. Her thesis focused on the insertion of the history and traditions of the Tumba Francesa in the curricula of schools in the territory of Sagua.
Most of the members of the group live in the rural communities of Bejuco and Naranjo Dulce. Those who reside a little further on must make a great effort to attend the rehearsals; some go on horseback or on foot. To get to Bejuco, from the municipal capital city, they have to cross the river several times.
As part of the 25th edition of the Ibero-American Culture Festival, the group presented in the Calixto García Park, the heart of the city of Holguín, where they demonstrated a tradition that will remain alive.
The Tumba Francesa de Bejuco will mark its 205 years of creation on December 2 this year.
