I’m originally from Cuba, a country which like most of the Caribbean countries has received a lot of cultural influence from different parts of Africa. Words, music, religious beliefs and practices, cuisine… everything is a melting pot that changes a bit from country to country.
I can only speak for the part of Cuba I lived in. “Burundanga” is in fact a word that means that in some contexts and regions. In my experience it was more of a folk thing from the past and not a word you use often in a colloquial exchange. Actually it was perceived as something some people from your grandparents generation could say without knowing exactly what it meant.It could be “mess” or an act of ‘brujería’, or shady business, something weird in its appearance or even a strange ingredient in a recipe. It has multiple meanings or concepts, but then again, it is understood more as an anachronism, something you say to add color to an image or situation because of its funny or bold sound.
Many Cubans in Florida still speak their Spanish full of those words from the past. Their language, as they lived far from the island for many years, evolved differently, of course.
Since the strip takes place in a South Florida community, it is not uncommon to find these “multicultural appropriations” in language, most of the time with words used in contexts very different from their original purpose and meaning.
aerilim over 10 years ago
Burundanga: African word for mess. Gustavo, are you from the Caribbean?
Comic Minister Premium Member over 10 years ago
Agreed.
GarrinchaTOONZ over 10 years ago
I’m originally from Cuba, a country which like most of the Caribbean countries has received a lot of cultural influence from different parts of Africa. Words, music, religious beliefs and practices, cuisine… everything is a melting pot that changes a bit from country to country.
I can only speak for the part of Cuba I lived in. “Burundanga” is in fact a word that means that in some contexts and regions. In my experience it was more of a folk thing from the past and not a word you use often in a colloquial exchange. Actually it was perceived as something some people from your grandparents generation could say without knowing exactly what it meant.It could be “mess” or an act of ‘brujería’, or shady business, something weird in its appearance or even a strange ingredient in a recipe. It has multiple meanings or concepts, but then again, it is understood more as an anachronism, something you say to add color to an image or situation because of its funny or bold sound.
Many Cubans in Florida still speak their Spanish full of those words from the past. Their language, as they lived far from the island for many years, evolved differently, of course.
Since the strip takes place in a South Florida community, it is not uncommon to find these “multicultural appropriations” in language, most of the time with words used in contexts very different from their original purpose and meaning.
katina.cooper over 10 years ago
They’ll get that patent just as soon as they thaw out.