Throughout his career, Guillén used his name and platform to fight racism, imperialism, and social inequality. He championed the concept of mestizaje —the blending of European and African cultures—arguing that Cuba’s true identity was inherently mulatto. His famous poetry collections, such as Sóngoro cosongo (1931) and West Indies, Ltd. (1934), remain vital cultural touchstones. 3. Political Impact
: It is a lyrical quest to reclaim a "forgotten name," symbolizing the broader search for Afro-Cuban heritage and the "Black Atlantic" experience. English Translation Overview
This story is a prose adaptation by Guillén of the themes in his famous poem "El apellido" (from the collection El son entero , 1947), where he explores the loss of African identity and surnames due to slavery. The version above reflects Guillén's narrative style and central message.
In the line "que me lo quiten, carajo," the word carajo is a Cuban interjection of frustration—roughly equivalent to "damn it" or "for heaven's sake." A literal translation ("penis") would be incorrect. The translation uses "damn it" to preserve the violent frustration of the speaker. el apellido nicolas guillen english translation
Below is the complete original text of El apellido . Read it aloud to appreciate its rhythmic intensity.
To understand the weight of "El apellido" (The Surname), one must first understand the life of Nicolás Guillén, who was born in Camagüey, Cuba, in 1902. His mixed-race heritage—European and African—shaped his worldview from the very beginning. His father, a journalist and veteran of the Cuban War of Independence, was tragically killed by the army in 1917, a violent event that opened the young poet's eyes to the harsh political and racial realities of the island.
The poem is sometimes classified as part of the movement, which sought to celebrate and reclaim African heritage, culture, and identity in the face of colonial dehumanization. Through the search for his hidden surname, Guillén’s speaker is engaging in a profound act of recovery, establishing a direct and defiant link to his African ancestors in the face of centuries of erasure. Throughout his career, Guillén used his name and
While the poem treats the name as a symbol of colonial imposition, the surname itself has a deep European history: El apellido The Surname | Nicolás Guillén
Provide a complete, side-by-side of "El apellido".
The loss of the original African family name due to the brutality of slavery. (1934), remain vital cultural touchstones
Here, the poet confronts the bureaucratic identity given to him by society. He asks if his blood truly belongs only to the Spanish grandfathers (from Galicia or Biscay) or if a massive part of his identity is being ignored. 2. The Search for the African Ancestor
Note: This translation captures the rhythmic urgency, emotional weight, and literal meaning of Guillén's original Spanish text.
Tierra adentro, sonaban tambores; temblaban flautas de caña. Y mis abuelos, abuelo de allá, abuela de acullá, arriba de esto, abajo de lo otro, no dijeron nada.