Since 2019, the transnational, decolonial feminist research project RECLAMA (Harnessing Afro-Ecuadorian Women’s Heritage), has been committed to documenting the heritage of Afro-descendant and Black women in Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador. Young Afro Ecuadorian women from across Esmeraldas have been key to the success of the project, working as peer researchers to collect oral history interviews with older women in their communities. A group of peer researchers and interviewees worked together to produce a series of creative outputs, including artwork, photographs and short documentaries, celebrating diverse aspects of their collective heritage.

Between November 11 and 21, photographs and other artwork created on this project will be showcased at the Star & Shadow café, focusing on themes including religious and spiritual practices, food and gastronomy, and aesthetics. Feel free to come along, pick up some postcards and sign our guestbook!

This exhibition is linked to a film screening and Q&A with Ecuadorian partners taking place on November 16.

The RECLAMA project is a collaboration between activists and academics from Northumbria University, Universidad de San Francisco de Quito, and the Mujeres de Asfalto collective, funded by British Academy/GCRF. For more information about the RECLAMA project, please visit our Website, Twitter or Facebook.