The 5 Most Important Caribbean Region Parties

The festivals of the Caribbean Region of Colombia are an important part of their cultural and social life. The best known, both inside the country and internationally, is the famous Barranquilla Carnival, considered the second largest in the world.

Apart from this, other celebrations like the National Reign of Beauty or the Feasts of the Sea in Santa Marta stand out. The Caribbean region of Colombia is located in the north of the country, bordering on the sea that gives it its name.

The 5 Most Important Caribbean Region Parties

It is made up of 8 different departments: Atlántico, Bolívar, La Guajira, Cesar, Sucre, Córdoba, Magdalena, and the islands of San Andrés and Providencia.

Among its cities are Cartagena de Indias and Barranquilla, in addition to Santa Marta, Montería or Valledupar.

Main festivals of the Caribbean region

The best known festivities in the region are a sample of the cheerful nature of its inhabitants, as well as the traditions that have been preserved in all departments.

We find religious festivals, related to the sea or celebrating the different musical styles that were born there.

1- Carnival of Barranquilla

The Carnival held annually in the city of Barranquilla was declared by Unesco"Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity"in 2003.

This celebration has more than a hundred years of history, although the exact date of its beginning is not known. The earliest reference dates back to 1829, when an American traveler claimed to have participated in it.

It currently convenes more than one million participants, attracting people from all over the country and abroad.

The date is movable, since it depends on the religious calendar. Thus the first day is always the Saturday before Ash Wednesday and lasts until the following Tuesday. In any case, there are related activities throughout the year.

2- Festivals of the Sea

These holidays are a recognition of the historic relationship that the region has always had with the Caribbean Sea.

Held in Santa Marta, its first edition was in 1959 and takes place every year at the end of July.

Although these fiestas are a good sample of the dances and traditions of the city and, by extension, of the entire Department of Magdalena, the main activities are related to maritime sports.

In this way there are usually swimming, skiing or jumping competitions. In addition, visitors can watch a parade of whalers.

Finally, the city's captain is chosen from among the city's young women, who must demonstrate their skills in water sports.

3- Festival of the Legend Vallenata

This festival blends the tribute to vallenato, musical style born in the region, and religious celebration.

It is celebrated every year in Valledupar, capital of the Department of Cesar, at the end of April. Its first edition took place in 1968 with the aim of recognizing the importance of this music as a cultural vehicle, as well as of preserving its rhythms.

On the other hand, in the religious aspect, a legend is commemorated that relates the intervention of the Virgin in a dispute between Indians and Spaniards.

At first, the Virgin resurrected the Spanish dead in the battle. Later, when the conquistadors are avenged, it reappears, this time to return the life to the natives. Each year this scene is represented during the festival.

4- Cumbia Festival

It is a celebration that honors another of the musical styles typical of the area. It is celebrated since 1970 in The Bank, Department of Magdalena, in the month of June.

The origin of this music and the parties and ceremonies in which it was used is not entirely clear. It seems that the Chimillas Indians used it at the funerals of their leaders, but it also possesses clear African influences.

In the current Festival, many couples dance on stages raised for the occasion. Also competitions are held in which the dancers demonstrate who masters their technique better and the art of dancing.

Across the city, in addition, there are different shows that show the cultural richness of the city.

5- The Corralejas

These bullfights are held in various locations throughout the Caribbean region, although perhaps the best known is that every January 20 takes place in Sincelejo, in the Department of Sucre.

These celebrations have a clear Spanish origin and they expanded in the zone during the colonial stage.

During the festivities, they manage to fight up to 40 bulls to the rhythm of popular music of the region, like the porro and the fandango.

Sincelejo dates from 1845 and its name comes from the word"corral". It is the space traditionally built with woods in which the bull is dealt.

References

  1. Petula, Ursula. 5 Caribbean Cultural Festivals Not to be Missed. Obtained from caribbeanandco.com
  2. Colombia Cultural Heritage. Characteristics of the Caribbean Region. Obtained from colombiapatrimoniocultural.wordpress.com
  3. UNESCO. Carnival of Barranquilla. Retrieved from ich.unesco.org
  4. Colombia. Corralejas Of Sincelejo. Obtained from colombia.com
  5. Phillips, Matt. The wonders of Colombia's Caribbean coast. Obtained from lonelyplanet.com


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