Carnival in Colombia
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The carnival in Colombia was introduced by the Spaniards. The Colombian carnival has incorporated elements from European culture, and has managed to syncretise, or re-interpret, traditions that belonged to the African and Amerindian cultures of Colombia. There is documentary evidence that the carnival existed in Colombia in the XVIII century and had already caused concerned to the colonial authorities, who censored the celebrations, especially in the mains centers of power such as Cartagena, Bogotá and Popayán. The carnival, therefore, continued its evolution and re-interpretation in the small and at that time unimportant towns where celebrations did not offend the ruling elites. The result was the uninterrupted celebration of carnival festivals in Barranquilla (Barranquilla Carnival), and other villages along the lower Magdalena River in northern Colombia, and in Pasto, Nariño (Blacks and Whites Carnival) in the south of the country. In modern times, there have been attempts to introduce the carnival in the capital, Bogotá, in the early XX century, but it has always failed to gain the approval of authorities. The Bogota Carnival has had to wait until the XXI century to be resurrected, this time, by the authorities of the city.
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[edit] Carnival in Northern Colombia
The Carnival in Colombia is of European origin. This type of festivities was introduced by the Spanish and the Portuguese. The Carnival in Barranquilla dates back to the celebrations that took place in Cartagena during the times of Spanish rule, as a festivity for the slaves. The Cartagena festivities that took place by 1774 were suspended circa 1781 due to concerns of the authorities because they “offended God ... and due to the practice of gambling ... and were a pretext to abandon their jobs and obligations..”. Although the celebrations in Barranquilla caused the same type of polemics only the ones in Cartagena were censored, which reflects the complexity of the politics of the region at that time.
Historical documents show that festivities called carnival existed in the XVIII century and not only in Cartagena and in the city of Santa Cruz de Mompox, but also along the lower Magdalena River and were already influenced by African and Amerindian traditions.
The urban carnival of Barranquilla has been officially celebrated since 1876, however, celebrations took place in previous years and they probably reflected the immigration patterns from rural areas attracted by the opportunities of a city in formation. It is important to mention here the rural carnival routes which started from diverse areas towards the urban centers. This is the case of the black African and indigenous dances and the dances of animals which are components of the current Barranquilla Carnival and are still celebrated in rural areas.
At the same time there are events, dances and costumes which are characteristic of certain regions and that have not been incorporated in the Barranquilla carnival, despite having been located on the geographic routes that took the traditions to the city.
[edit] Carnival in the Lower Magdalena Valley
The Riosucio Carnival is a very unusual celebration that has no equal in the world. It is officially celebrated since 1847, when the union between the towns of Quiebralomo and Montana took effect. It started as a celebration of the Three Wise Kings festivities that the people of Quiebralomo traditionally held since the XVI century and in which the mixed the European and the African traditions. In this carnival the Amerindian from the mountain contributes with basic elements such cult to the earth symbolized in the “Guarapo” (alcoholic drink based on maize) and its container the “calabazo” (gourd) , and the cult to the sun, invoked in the feline features of the jaguar, a sacred animal that symbolized the astral king, feature later perpetuated in the effigies of the devil of the carnival.
[edit] Carnival in Southern Colombia
A very important and traditional carnival is the Blacks and Whites Carnival in the city of Pasto, Nariño. It is one of the most ancient carnivals in the Americas. It commemorates the day in which the African slaves had a free day when they unleashed all their happiness.
Some historians refer that in 1607, there was a slave rebellion in the town of Remedios, Antioquia that made the authorities panic. The event was remembered by the black population of Popayán, Cauca, who demanded a day off, in which thay were really free. The king of Spain conceded January 5. It is said that when the news reached home the African population flock to the streets and danced at the rhythm of African music and started to blacken with coal all the white walls of the city.
The enthusiastic celebration was brought to Pasto by the Ayerbe family around 1854. By 1887, the celebration had reached to certain social spheres and acquired a high level of refinement, and people started using costumes and masks. The Castaneda family recreated by the January 4 krewes could be a characterization of the Ayerbe Family.
[edit] Carnival in Central Colombia
The carnival reached the capital of Colombia in modern times. The celebration of the first Carnival in Bogota dates back to year 1916 and it started as a Student Carnival for which a congeniality queen was elected. The first queen of Bogotá's student carnival was Elvira Zea. After winning the contest she used her own real name as Queen's name, in that occasion she took the name Elvira I. The queen was the person in charge of opening the celebrations. In the following years the carnival grew in number of comparsas (krewes) and beauty queens. During the 30's the national government and the council of Bogotá suspended the carnival due to disorders caused by alcohol consumption. An attempt to revive the carnival in the year 1960 failed again for reasons of alcohol abuse and violence.
The Carnival was resurrected by the Mayor of Bogotá in a Government Resolution on April 14th, 2005. The objective of the new Carnival was to promote a collective atmosphere of fellowiship and to celebrate life, creative expression, and enjoyment. It further aimed to generate a feeling of belonging to the city, to enforce processes of reconciliation and fair play, and the inclusion and recognition of all districts and cultures of the Capital City of Colombia.
[edit] Carnival in Medellin
The carnivala is in Medellín, dubbed the flower capital. The carnival is called "La fería de las flores" translated to "The flower fair". Flowers are assembled to resemble shapes of art or an event. This carnival takes place every year in August. The artistic sculptures are held by person on the backs of volunteers.
