Dive into a tale of resilience and roots: Jorge Panchoaga's Kalabongó isn't just a book—it's a vibrant reminder that freedom's flame can burn bright even in history's darkest shadows. But here's where it gets controversial: What if imagination isn't just a luxury, but the very key to unlocking societal healing? Stick around, and you'll see why this visual narrative might just challenge what you think you know about memory and identity.
In this captivating piece from The Book Column, we explore Kalabongó, brought to life by Editorial RM. Jorge Panchoaga weaves a whimsical yet profound story that celebrates Colombia's deep African heritage, with the village of Palenque de San Basilio standing as one of its most steadfast protectors. For beginners curious about this, think of it as a modern fable that blends history with fantasy, making complex cultural stories feel accessible and alive.
Picture this quote that kicks off the book's spirit: 'The roots torn from Africa have sprouted here, in this land. The Palenque sky is in Africa, yet the roots, the tree, the fruits that sustain us, are here, in this free land, in Palenque.' These words from Neudis Marimon Cañate, a local resident, beautifully capture how the community has replanted its origins far from their African homeland, growing into something uniquely Colombian.
San Basilio de Palenque is Colombia's last surviving palenque—a kind of fortified settlement established in the 17th century by enslaved Africans who rebelled fiercely. In 1713, they won their independence through sheer grit, marking the Americas' first break from European rule. Situated southeast of Cartagena, a city once notorious for its slave trade, this village now houses around 3,500 people, with the wider palenquero community in Colombia numbering nearly 30,000. From their hybrid language that mixes influences to their unique funeral customs and healing rituals, they fiercely uphold an Afro-Colombian identity centered on liberty. And this legacy? It's kept alive through rich oral traditions that pass down stories like treasures.
Jorge Panchoaga hails from Cauca and developed a natural passion for photography while studying anthropology. Today, he channels that into visual stories exploring Colombia's diverse history and identities. Drawing from films, cartoons, graphic novels, and even ancient art forms like painting and sketching, he creates layered narratives that feel like journeys through time.
Kalabongó emerges from the fusion of spoken tales and visual art, overflowing with symbols that honor the enslaved Africans' quest for liberation. For example, a swarm of fireflies might represent the inner glow that lit their paths to escape, while women's hairstyles, often hiding seeds, symbolize planting hopes for future communities. Bats fluttering through the pages nod to a local myth gathered by researcher Clara Inés Guerrero—in it, startled Spanish troops confused the creatures for fleeing rebels in flight. Uprooted plants, on the other hand, highlight the vital sense of belonging to a land and collective strength, echoing the question: 'What is freedom, if not having a place where one can belong within a community?'
Initially planned as a visual chronicle of Afro-Colombian identity and the cimarrones' fight for freedom—that's the Spanish term for runaway slaves—Kalabongó transformed into a deep reflection on remembrance. For Panchoaga, 'memories are a doorway to another dimension.' The work breathes with a nighttime vibe, a realm where real experiences blend seamlessly with fantasies. After all, memory and imagination are intertwined, and he argues that imagination is crucial for societies: 'it structures our lives to recall, to resolve, to love, to create, to invent and yet societies neglect it.' And this is the part most people miss: In our fast-paced world, do we undervalue creativity's role in building a better future?
Through clever color play, Kalabongó guides readers across boundaries between dreams and waking life, shared recollections and wild invention. To visualize these shifts, Panchoaga drew inspiration from video games. 'I often think of books as video games: their physicality allows you to travel between different dimensions—the everyday, historical fact, and the imaginary.' Transitions happen via image treatments; as you flip pages, mundane scenes morph into photos drenched in fiery red, the book's dominant hue.
What emerges is a spellbinding visual legend, applauding the cimarrones' defiance and imagination's might. It wraps up with an uplifting scene of a cherimoya tree: its seeds have finally taken hold, thriving in liberated earth.
Reviewed by Zoé Isle de Beauchaine
Jorge Panchoaga — Kalabongó
Editorial RM, 2025
144 pages, 88 images
24 x 30 cm / 9.4 x 11.8 in
Design: Estudio Herrera
Bilingual edition (In English with an insert in Spanish)
Grab your copy online or at any top bookstore (https://editorialrm.com/en/producto/kalabongo/)
Now, let's spark some debate: Do you believe societies truly neglect imagination, as Panchoaga suggests, or is it thriving in unexpected ways? Could this book's focus on memory and freedom apply to modern identity struggles elsewhere? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with this counterpoint that imagination might sometimes distract from real-world action, or does it empower change? We'd love to hear your take!
