Culture of Colombia

A culture is expressed through the art, literature, music, and cuisine of the region. Diversity is characteristic to the culture of Colombia. The cultures of different countries influenced the culture of Colombia. To know more, read on...

Owing to geography, Colombia contains five main natural regions namely, the Andes mountain ranges, the Caribbean Sea coastal region, the Pacific Ocean coastal region, the Llanos (plains) and the Amazon rain forest region. Colombia is located in the northwestern region of South America. This has led to a diversified Colombian culture. Moreover globalization and urbanization have changed the Colombian way of living.

Spanish culture has highly influenced the culture of Colombia. It brought in Catholicism, the feudal encomienda system, the African slaves and the system that favored the European-born whites. The Blacks mingled with the indigenous people of Colombia, carnivals giving them an opportunity to do so. This mix created a blend of cultures. The banishment of slavery from the society, and the industrialization of the 20th century after the establishment of the Republic of Colombia were some good things Colombians saw.

Art of Colombia
The Colombian art ranges right from the sculptures and paintings of ancient times to the modern-day films, theater and various other forms of art. Colombia has produced artists like Alejandro Obregon and Fernando Botero. Gold work, stonework and pottery were an important part of their sculpture. The paintings in Colombia was characterized by the colonial, the Baroque and the Republican periods. Renaissance and medieval styles were the subjects of the paintings of the early colonial period. The Baroque period starting around 1600 AD bore the paintings featuring emotionalism, large gestures and populism. Mexican murals influenced the 20th century Colombian art. This period witnessed the world famous artists like Omar Rayo.

Literature of Colombia
Colombian literature of the colonial period focused on religion. Most of the expressions involved Spanish influences. Literature of the post-independence period was based on political thoughts and movements. During the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries, peasant life came to be depicted in the Colombian literature. Mystery became one of the subjects to write on, in the modern times. Children's literature that includes nursery rhymes and folk tales forms an important part of the literature of Colombia. Gabriel Garcia Marquez, one of the most significant authors of the 20th century, a Nobel Prize winner is a Colombian.

Music of Colombia
Music is one of the most beautiful expressions of any culture. The Colombian culture contains a variety of music genres. Song and dance accompany the special events of common man's life. Cumbia, one of the genres of Colombian music, is a blend of the African and the Spanish music. Salsa, born in Puerto Rica and Cuba, became popular in Colombia. Champeta, Abozao, Juga, Pilon, Porro, Seis, Socca and Tambora are some of the other music genres of the different parts of Colombia. The Colombian music of the present times includes hip-hop, pop and rock music. Shakira, a prominent name in the music industry, is from Colombia.

Religion in Colombia
The Colombian Constitution has granted freedom of religion to its people. Before 1991, Catholicism was the official religion of Colombia. During the colonial period, the health as well as the education facilities came under the Catholic Church. The culture of Colombia has accepted the freedom of religion and it is apparent in its diversified population.

Colombian Cuisine
The Colombian food shows a reflection of the European style of cooking. Fritanga that includes grilled beef and chicken, ribs and sausage with potatoes, forms a favorite dish of the Colombians. Tubers and meat form the staple food of the Colombians. The climate of Colombia is conducive for the flourish of a variety of crops and fruits. Both fresh and saltwater fish are plentiful in Colombia. The popular dishes vary across the different natural regions of Colombia.

Festivals of Colombia
The carnivals held on various occasions form a major part of the festivities of Colombia. Cali Fair, held towards the end of December, The Flowers Fair, characterized by the flowers parade, Rock at the park, inviting the participation of rock bands and the traditionally celebrated Carnival of Blacks and Whites are some of the popular Colombian fiestas.

People of Colombia - The Colombians
The diverse population of Colombia mirrors the history and the diverse culture of the Colombians. Their diverse population consists of the Amerindians, Africans, Asians, and the people of the Middle East, as also those who have migrated from Europe. Most of the Colombian populace is mestizo. With the passing time the population of Colombia has increased as also progressed with respect to the education and overall development. According to a survey in 2004, the people of Colombia are one of the happiest people of the world.

Colombians are proud of their richly diverse culture. The culture of Colombia is indeed a combination of the 'traditional' and the 'modern'. It is a mix of various ethnicities making Colombia a wonderful multicultural country.