Pachanga

Pachanga aims to highlight Afro-Latinx/e culture and visibility. African arrivals to Latin America heavily influenced both Latinx/e and African cultures since the 16th Century. 

The Spanish empire unsuccessfully attempted to destroy African identities and cultures. This gave African music the ability to thrive in Latin America. African music consists of a variety of unique instruments that have been adapted by latin american music: the conga, the kora, and the marimba. These instruments have rich sounds that switch from soft to upbeat tempos.

To this day Afro-latines are underrepresented in society. As a result, they struggle to receive recognition from both African-Americans and Latines. Through music, Pachanga seeks to demonstrate the relationship that exists between African and Latinx/e roots and the way they come together to create a unified culture: Afro-Latinidad. 

Pachanga is organized by student interns from the Chicanx Latinx Resource Center and the African American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC). Campus communities affiliated with the resource centers also join in to help. Through live music, funky beats, and groovy dance moves, the spirit of Pachanga carries on every year at UCSC.