The Typical costumes of Colombia Are a sample of the variety of cultural traditions that exist in the South American country.
In this sense, the clothing of each place supposes an identification of cultural roles and hierarchies of each town.
Thus, all Latin America is a reflection of the large number of races and ethnicities that populate the place, from the north of Mexico to the south of Argentina.
For this reason, due to the cultural and anthropological wealth that has the suit within Colombia, we will proceed to analyze which are the main ones. You may also be interested in this article Cultural traditions of Colombia .
The main typical costumes of Colombia
1- The Amazonian costumes
This region does not have a typical clothing born of its origins but its dress is strongly influenced by the neighboring towns with which it shares the Amazon.
The clothes of daily use are designed taking into account the tropical climate in which its inhabitants live all the year, but with differences according to the traditions of each local community.
Although many towns were naked, over time they were adopting typical clothing, especially for celebrations, where they bring out their intrinsic characteristics.
For those special occasions, the villagers of this region wear Yanchama suits, which are made with the bark of the local trees with plant patches of native plants.
Generally, they are sleeveless garments, with abundant fringes of palm or leaves of trees. In addition, they incorporate masks to cover their faces in the celebrations, also elaborated with natural components.
In some communities, clans and intrinsic hierarchies are distinguished with metal ornaments and animal products that adhere to the garments.
2- The muleteer suit of Antioquia
This typical garment of the region of Antioquia consists of trousers, usually made of raw liencillo, which have the peculiarity of wearing rolled up, just below the knee.
This suit is complemented by blankets, long sleeves but without neck and espadrilles in the feet. The man's bag, or carriel, is different from this style.
Made with body and skin of wheat, the carriel has an oval shape at the bottom and a hard cover that fulfills the closing function. You can also see some men with ponchos.
3- Fandango
One of the typical costumes of the region of Sucre is one in which the women combine a sweater or a short blouse with a wide and long skirt, which covers the entire leg, with a cane cut. Tropical flowers, ribbons and accessories complete the dress.
In men, earthy trousers, sober shirts and the sombrero vueltiao, are the typical dress code for special celebrations.
4- Porro
It is also a typical suit of Sucre, but in this case has greater aesthetic freedom so that each man or woman can give his personal touch.
The women's skirts are shorter and the blouse is cut. Adornments are added to the head. In addition, they decorate their garments with drawings, figures or elements of the place to celebrate their membership.
In the men happens something similar, it maintains the style fandango with freedom of colors and accessories that approach them to the origins of its earth.
5- Cusma Prenda
This typical costume of Caquetá has ancestral origins and is used especially during the folk festivals or the special ceremonies of each community. For everyday life, light clothing is worn in the suffocating climate.
The women wear skirts of cumare tree bark, typical of the area, and bare bare. Necklaces, nose rings, crowns, rattles, canes and other appliques, such as feathers and precious stones, complete the costumes.
Among men, the only garment possible is the loincloth that is also made with Cumare wood. Both sexes can paint their bodies and wear crowns.
6- La Chapolera
The chapoleras are the women who collect coffee, traditional characters from the Andean zones, who also have their particular attire for special occasions.
A long black skirt with colored ribbons or patterns that decorate it, usually in bright colors, white blouses with cleavage and braids, are their look for celebratory rites. On the feet can wear espadrilles, sandals or go barefoot.
7- The Chibchas
Owners of the highlands of Boyacá, the locals of this area used to have colorful costumes, with typical clothes like the"chircate", a mantle that women wear tight at the waist.
The men wear a long woolen poncho, which covers them almost entirely to protect themselves from the cold, in addition to denim pants, cotton shirt, espadrilles and hat.
Among women, skirts are still the distinguishing feature, in this case with colorful designs and applications on the underside of the cloth cloak. They also wear a cotton blouse, hat and espadrilles.
The cold of the zone forced these communities to incorporate long and thick clothes, always respecting their traditions full of adornments and colors.
8- Pregoneras of Medellín
This costume consists of wide skirts, long-sleeved blouse and high collar, black pants with fringes and espadrilles. All in black tones and with colorful appliques. The outstanding detail is the baskets or drawers, where they carry the products they make and market.
9- Costume of the Arhuacos
These inhabitants of the Sierra de Santa Marta wear typical costumes with several (mostly three) backpacks that hang from the neck, head and arms. Men wear long white blankets that fit at the waist with a girdle, pants and hat, all in light tones.
The women only wear two cotton blankets, crossed, and a skirt. All the design and preparation is proper, so the styles can vary from person to person.
In addition, they incorporate necklaces of nuggets, shells or chakiras. Their land is another of the native elements that unites them.
10- The costumes of the Koguis and Arsarios
Like its neighbors, the Arhuacos, these tribes usually have typical costumes for their celebrations with the peculiarity of not being able to put on, so they walk barefoot.
The men and women share the outfit, with a baton as main garment, loose, clear, long sleeve and cotton. The men add a pair of trousers and a backpack.
11- Bareal suit
It is one of the typical costumes of the mazamorreras of Antioquia and is composed of long skirts, elaborated generally of a thick cotton, and blouses with boleros.
In addition to the bag with the products, the hairstyle also complements this costume, as the hair must be collected with a scarf.
12- The Llanero
The so-called llaneros of Arauca have their dress code according to their activities: clothes for work and others for the moments of rest or celebration, as all peoples.
In contrast to the dresses described above, this population chooses the light tones to dress. Shirts and pants, espadrilles and hat, for men, while women stand out for using flowers and natural scents on their skin.
The hat, called stone and broad-waisted, is the distinctive piece of a llanero and is accompanied by the skirt, where it takes the knife and the money. By the winds of the zone, the hats are usually heavy so that they do not fly.
13- Costume of the coastal fisherman
These typical characters incorporate the Spanish design and wear white trousers, gathered in the back of the waist, rolled up and shirts with long sleeves and clenched fist, but are used loose. Also they incorporate the hat and the handkerchief in the neck.
14- The costume of the region of Casanare
The llaneros of this area are characterized by light, shades, a wide cachicamita (shirt) and a breeches of ragged green cloth, as well as colorful blouses, pants, handkerchief and hat on the head.
Color, usually white, represents some power of the wearer. In addition, the hat, handkerchief and a three button blouse complete the outfit.
The women dress in a simple style with loose robes, light colors and some small flowers to decorate. You can also see them with medium skirts and short sleeve blouses, always in the same tone.
15- The suit of Piloneras
In the region of César, during the special celebrations the women wear dresses or skirt and blouse of a fine cloth of linen, of a single color with prints. This outfit is complemented by wallet, high heels and accessories.
Men also wear linen suits. Here appears the sack for the first time as a garment, in addition to the pants and the tie. Another peculiar characteristic are the soft tones.
16- Puya suits
In the region of Cordoba, the clothing is marked by the tradition of the dance sinuana, with a strong traditional component that all the inhabitants respect.
The women wear their typical wide skirts with cane cut and sweaters. While men stand out with a cotton sack, Cuban style hat and tight black shoes. His shirt and pants are light colors.
17- Costume you Bogota peak
Again the skirts, a typical clothing in Colombia, adorned with boleros all in black tones combined with a white blouse with rings at the neck of the sleeves that give a particular touch to each woman. The hat and espadrilles accompany during the celebrations.
18- The disguise of the embarradores
The typical Wayuu costume, known as the disguise of the shippers, consists of long trousers, shirt and long flannels, with jacket and was used in carnivals.
19- The costume of the mascaritas
With a mask on his face, which could be any element that covered his face, added to a tulle or veil that covered the rest of the body. The hands also protected with stockings and typical maracas, make up one of the most colorful costumes of Colombia.
20- The dresses of the Ingas and the Kansas
Inhabitants of the valley of Sibundoy, these tribes share their typical costumes. While the men wear two robes, a white interior and a black exterior with a canvas sash, colored roana and necklaces; The women incorporate dark skirts supported by a"chumbi"(wool band), a blue or red blouse and necklaces of native elements.
References
1. History of the costume in Colombia, Celanese Colombiana, Editorial Atlante, Mexico, 1945 .