RM has published "Kalabongó," a powerful photographic work by Jorge Panchoaga, a renowned Colombian photographer celebrated for his visual storytelling that captures the cultural richness and history of Colombia. Panchoaga's work, which reflects his deep connection to his country's identity, has gained both national and international recognition for its profound documentation of Colombian heritage.
"Kalabongó" offers a captivating glimpse into the cultural wealth and historical significance of an Afro-American slave community on the Colombian coast, which played an essential role in the historic 1605 treaty with the Spanish Crown. All images in the collection are nocturnal because, in the author's words, "the night is an accomplice to the light of freedom." The photographs were taken in San Basilio de Palenque, a town that was once crucial in the struggle for freedom but is now largely unknown and ignored by many.
Through his lens, Panchoaga reveals a deep and moving history with a graphic language that is both striking and powerfully visual. On a night in 1599, thirty people—both enslaved women and men—fled from the houses that made up the fortified city of Cartagena de Indias, seeking autonomy, territory, and freedom. Historical records still recall how the Maroons "flew over" the territory during times of conflict, confronting Spanish troops and defending fugitive settlers who, for years, lived in mobile hamlets throughout the region.
In 1605, after confrontations with the Crown, these freedom fighters achieved a year of peace through a treaty considered the first of its kind in what is now Colombia. The struggles led by the Maroons and this year of peace became the foundation for what is today San Basilio de Palenque. The community's resistance and eventual recognition marked a pivotal moment in the history of Afro-Colombian liberation movements.
The "Kalabongó" (fireflies in Palenquero language) move through narratives of oral history, from the distant and recent past, in a story that blends daily life with historical significance. The stories of the villagers, along with the images that compose "Kalabongó," remind us that the night is "the accomplice to the light of freedom." This poetic metaphor runs throughout Panchoaga's work, emphasizing how darkness provided cover for those seeking liberation and continues to hold the memories of their struggle.
The publication details for "Jorge Panchoaga: Kalabongó" include a hardcover format with 144 pages containing 88 images. The book measures 24 x 30 cm (9.4 x 11.8 inches) and features design work by Estudio Herrera. It is published as a bilingual edition in English with a Spanish insert, making the historical narrative accessible to both English and Spanish-speaking audiences. The book is available with ISBN 978-84-19233-73-8.
