Meet Berta Cova from Venezuela. She is a staunch defender of the Afro-descendant Venezuelan identity.
The discrimination and erasing of Venezuelan Afro-descendant peoples is one of the painful legacies of colonisation and colonial enslavement. For centuries, African peoples were brought to Venezuela as slaves to work in plantations and mines, suffering inhumane conditions and being treated as property.
Berta Cova, born in Campoma, in eastern Venezuela, in 1950, is a descendant of enslaved people. From a very young age she became all too aware of the inequalities and injustices faced by many people because of their skin colour. Racism is so normalised and internalised across Venezuela that is often not even a topic of conversation, Berta has dedicated her life to changing this.
Despite the abolition of slavery in Venezuela in 1854, racial discrimination and social exclusion have persisted, limiting the opportunities and rights of Afro-descendants in areas such as education, employment and political participation. It was not until 2011 that the community were able to identify as Afro-descendant in the national census.
Berta, a popular culturist and defender of the Afro-descendant Venezuelan identity, is considered a Living Heritage. A healer in her community, she has dedicated her life to the defence and promotion of Afro-descendant knowledge and recognition.
Berta has worked to ensure her culture is remembered and celebrated, not just by those identifying as Afro-descendants, but the wider population of Venezuela. Through hairstyles, cooking and dances of African heritage, specifically from Congo, Angola and the Gulf of Guinea, Berta promotes the rescue and pride of the Afro-descendant identity.
Hair and hairstyles are a manifestation of identity, culture and resistance. Hair is considered a symbol of beauty, strength and cultural pride, and is used as a way of expressing ethnic identity and connection to African roots, thus resisting racial oppression and discrimination. Berta has contributed to a greater appreciation and valuing of the diversity of afro-descendant hairstyles.
Berta Cova has strived to keep the music and dances of her community alive. Through her teaching and participation in cultural events, she has transmitted these elements to younger generations.
In addition to music, Berta has also focused on preserving traditional recipes and culinary techniques. She has shared her knowledge of native dishes and their importance in cultural identity. She has researched and promoted the use of medicinal plants and ancestral practices for health care. Her knowledge in this field is invaluable to the community.
Berta Cova is a leading figure in the preservation and promotion of Afro-descendants’ traditional culture. Her commitment and dedication are admirable and contribute to the cultural enrichment of her environment. Her experience and wisdom have made her a reference in the Afro-descendant fight for justice and dignity at the national level and a popular sage within the community.
“One has to know how to belong and be master of oneself, because peace begins with the recognition of who I am, of my identity”
