12381: Don Pedro (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Lois E Wilcken <makandal-ny@juno.com>

This thought just came up in my reading.  Moreau de Saint-Mery attributed
the "danse a Don Pedre" to a "negro of Spanish origin."  Is it solidly
established that Don Pedre was a historical figure?  If so, what,
exactly, does "of Spanish origin" mean?  Has anyone ever speculated that
he was Congolese, with a Portuguese name?  One of the Kongo kings during
the 18th century was Don Pedro IV.  Many Congolese leaders took Portugese
names during Portugal's 500 year tenure there.  Just wondering.

Lois

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