Celebrations in Colombia

1. List/describe several of your island/country's festivals or celebrations

• Carnaval del Diablo-  is considered one of the most traditional celebrations in the country, and one of the longest celebrations in the world, 

• Carnaval de Negros y Blancos- is one of the major events in Southern Colombia, celebrated in Pasto over a week in early January. 

• Santa Semanta- Easter holy week takes place at the end of March/beginning of April each year and is the biggest festival of the year in Catholic Colombia.

• Festival of the Flowers- Taking place over ten days in early August, there are concerts, parades, food and drink, an orchid exposition, and competition amongst Saddlemen bearing flowers on horseback. 

• Barranquilla Carnival- Participants dress up in exotic costumes and take part in a grand parade with a queen, floats, salsa music, rumba dancing, food, drink, and partying.

2. For each provide some history or background and explain why the events are important on the island.

• Carnaval del Diablo- This Carnival takes place every two years in Riosucio in the Caldas department. Originating in the colonial period in 1847, the celebration was a mix of African and Spanish culture with that of the Indigenous people from the mountains and includes singing, music and dance.

• Carnaval de Negros y Blancos-  The celebrations begin on the 28th with the Carnival of Water − the throwing of water in homes and on the streets to initiate a festive mood. On New Year’s Eve, the Old Year’s parade takes place, with marchers carrying satirical figures representing celebrities and current events, and culminating in a ritual burning of the passing year.

• Santa Semanta-  As with any cultural celebration, Spain's elaborate Semana Santa was for centuries a work-in-progress. The starting point for its extensive history is clearly the death of Christ, from which it takes its subject, however, the celebration that we see today is the result of centuries of evolution.

• Festival of the Flowers- The first Feria de las Flores, or flower festival, reportedly took place in Medellin in May 1957. It was intended to host a tribute to the thriving flower business in the Medellín area. And it was organized by Arturo Uribe, a member of the Board of the Office of Development and Tourism.

• Barranquilla Carnival- The indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities saw the event as a chance to showcase their European or African culture, beliefs and traditions by portraying them through the carnival atmosphere

3. Include photos and general descriptions of special costumes/art/music/competitions, etc that are associated with the events.

• Carnaval del Diablo

• Carnaval de Negros y Blancos

• Santa Semanta

• Festival of the Flowers

4. Choose one and go into greater detail about the event's history and importance to people on the island. 

• Barranquilla Carnival- is the biggest celebration of folklore in all Colombia and one of the world’s largest carnivals, with more than a hundred years of tradition. The festivities run for four days and Colombians and visitors alike party in the streets in a colorful celebration of Colombian culture. UNESCO declared the Barranquilla Carnival a Masterpiece of Humanity’s Intangible and Oral Heritage in 2003 and the carnival was proclaimed a Cultural Masterpiece by the Colombian government.

Sources

Heritage, Cultural. “Carnaval De Negros y Blancos.” UNESCO, 2009, ich.unesco.org/en/RL/carnaval-de-negros-y-blancos-00287.

website, iExplore. “Colombia Holidays and Festivals.” Adventure Tourism - Experiential Travel Guides, 2017, www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/central-and-south-america/colombia/festivals-and-events. 

Spanish, Enforex. “Inicio.” Learn Spanish, 2015, www.enforex.com/culture/semana-santa.html. 

 Medellin Guru, Jeff. “Feria De Las Flores 2020 Guide: November 1 to 8 – Not Cancelled.” Medellin Guru, 16 Oct. 2020, medellinguru.com/feria-de-las-flores-2020/. 

Wooldridge, Anny. “A Brief History of Barranquilla Carnival.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 10 May 2017, theculturetrip.com/south-america/colombia/articles/a-brief-history-of-barranquilla-carnival/.

Colombia, Carnival. “Your Guide to the Barranquilla Carnival.” Colombia Country Brand, 28 Feb. 2020, www.colombia.co/en/colombia-travel/tourism-by-regions/guide-barranquilla-carnival/.