In 1932 it was renamed after Gaspar Yanga, the cimarron leader who in 1609 resisted attack by Spanish forces trying to regain control of the area.

Gaspar Yanga was an Punu chief in present-day Gabon in Central Africa before being sold into slavery and sent to Mexico.

At the time Yanga reportedly arrived in Mexico – before 1570 – it is very likely that he shipped by way of Elmina Castle, the first ever European slave-trading post, established on the west coast of Africa in 1482.

[2] The black inhabitants of San Lorenzo proclaimed their loyalty to the Catholic Church and the King of Spain, but refused to pay tribute to the Spanish government.

Every August, a carnival is held to celebrate Gaspar Yanga, as founder of the first free, Black autonomous region in the Americas.