Victoria Santa Cruz: Afro-Peruvian Voice, Memory, and Legacy

“I was born Black, I was born a woman, and later being Latin American also presented an obstacle,” Victoria Santa Cruz (1922–2014) reflected on her extraordinary life. Transforming barriers into opportunities, she pioneered Afro-Peruvian art and became a guiding force for generations worldwide.

This October, in honour of Black History Month, we celebrate this fearless poet, performer, and cultural icon whose work resonates across time. Victoria’s words and rhythms carry the resilience, pride, and voice of the Afro-Peruvian community. Through her artistry, she confronted racism and social hierarchies rooted in colonial heritage, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire creativity, reflection, and presence today.

1. Early Life and Awakening: At just five years old, Victoria experienced her first encounter with racism in Lima, an experience that would later inspire her powerful rhythmic poem Me Gritaron ‘¡Negra!’ (“They Shouted ‘Black Girl’ at Me”). Through this work, she reclaimed pride in her Black identity, demonstrating the transformative power of rhythm and self-knowledge.

2. Cumanana and Artistic Innovation: Beginning in the late 1950s, Victoria and her brother Nicomedes founded the groundbreaking theatre group Cumanana, sparking a Black arts resurgence in Peru. She went on to study choreography, costume design, and rhythm in Paris, travelled to Africa, and brought Afro-Peruvian traditions to stages worldwide.

3. Black Theatre and Dances of Peru: In 1967, she founded Black Theatre and Dances of Peru, producing works exploring Afro-Peruvian life, history, and identity. She also developed her signature technique, Discovery and Development of Internal Rhythm, to cultivate consciousness and pride among performers.

4. Recognition, Teaching, and Global Influence: Victoria held unprecedented positions for Black women in Peru, including directing the National Folklore Ensemble and representing her country at the Cultural Olympics in Mexico City. Later, as a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University, she influenced a new generation of performers, bringing rhythm-based pedagogy to an international stage.

5. Legacy and Inspiration: Although she never labelled herself a feminist or activist, Victoria fought tirelessly for inclusion, equality, and the universal humanity of Black Peruvians and women. Today, she is celebrated as a pillar of Afro-Peruvian cultural heritage, reminding us that obstacles—whether of race, gender, or circumstance- can be transformed into opportunities for creativity, expression, and empowerment.

Check out our Instagram reel with Victoria Santa Cruz discussing racism.

This message from Professor Victoria Santa Cruz to (future) Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama seniors is from a movie for the class of 2002 by Eric Feldman. In her message, Victoria Santa Cruz explains her approach to the development of interior rhythm.