ISBN 978-612-03-0812-7

Reseña

Zelmira Aguilar once again invites us to board the time train; this time, she will lead us into the world of football, stopping at various stations that allow us to explore the origins of the sport and the role the English played in the global spread of this mass phenomenon. Our journey takes us to the neighbourhood of Malambo, in the district of Rimac — a cradle for the first Afro-Peruvians who became part of local teams. The author delves into the world of Alianza Lima through its icons — the valiant black men who transformed the way the game was played, with attitude, leadership, humility, and worth. She highlights their remarkable resilience, which played a vital role in the shaping of their identity. She also underscores the significance of football as a tool to demonstrate both the intelligence and physical strength of people of African descent.
Dribbles and Passion is a hybrid work—a social essay, as Zelmira often refers to her literary texts—that is both reflective and emotive. Ultimately, it skilfully navigates the role of the Afro-Peruvian community in shaping its identity through football, while also addressing the internalisation of the norms and values of a Lima society marked by racist attitudes.