This module explores the importance of slavery, its consequences in Latin American societies and its representation as a topic, motif or background of contemporary Latin American music, films and literature. Beginning with the anti-slavery texts written by authors of the criollo elite in the 19th century, the representation of the slave or indentured servant has taken on new shapes in popular culture. Slavery is a constant reservoir of images readdressed in Latin American literature, music and cinema according to their contemporary, social and political agendas. We will discuss how Indian and African slavery have affected national imaginations in 20th century Latin American writing.