5 CUSTOMS OF THE COLOMBIAN ANDEAN REGION - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The customs of the Andean region that characterize its inhabitants are their clothing, their musical tastes, their gastronomy, their parties and their courteous treatment.

The Andean region is located in the center of Colombia and is divided into three mountain ranges called Central, Occidental and Oriental. Its name is deduced from its location within the Andes Mountains.

In the Andean region there are the main Colombian cities and cultural regions as rich as La Paisa, Santandereana, Cundiboyacense, Vallecaucana, Opita and Pastuso.

Main customs of the Andean region

1.- Clothing

Throughout Colombia and in its main cities, the taste for current fashion is evident. Colombia is even considered one of the Latin American countries with the highest production in fashion design.

But in the localities of the Andean regions, especially in the department of Boyacá (Cundiboyacense), the Ruana continues to be the traditional and characteristic coat to cover the cold.

The Ruana, also used throughout Andean South America, is a rectangular-shaped sleeveless coat made by hand on looms with virgin wool.

2.- Musical tastes

Due to the extensive territory that the Colombian Andean region occupies there are different musical styles, but the Bambuco is the most representative.

It is followed by the Bullerengue, which is a variant of the cumbia but with more pronounced rhythmic touches, and the Bunde Tolimense, which mixes guabina, whirlwind and bambuco.

In the same way throughout Colombia, cumbia and vallenato are the musical manifestations that have become most popular today.

3.- Gastronomy

The dishes of the Andean region of Colombia arise from a syncretism in indigenous and Spanish traditions. Dairy products, grains, tubers, cereals and proteins are the constants in the gastronomy of this region.

Highlight the paisa tray, the ajiaco, the changua or Andean pinch for breakfast, arepas of ground corn, wrapped in corn, sancocho paisa, pork cannon.

4.- Parties

The Colombian Andes have a diverse variety of festivals and celebrations in which the folklore of this region is revealed. In its festivals, features of indigenous, black and Spanish traditions are manifested.

Many of these festivals are related to the religious calendar of Catholicism and remain in force since two thirds of the Colombian population considers themselves practicing Catholics.

Highlights include the Candlemas Festival, the Black and White Carnival in honor of the Three Wise Men, the San Juan and San Pedro Festivities and the Corpus Christi Festival.

There are also secular festivals such as the National Festival of the Guabina and the Tiple, the Devil's Carnival or the Manizales Festival.

5.- Courtesy

The Andean people have an outgoing and helpful personality. They almost exclusively use "you" in everyday communication, just like "shop".

They conduct themselves towards the person with care. Hence, tourism in Colombia is on the rise and its human resource is considered one of the most qualified in the world.

References

1. Ocampo, J. (2006). Colombian folklore, customs and traditions. Bogotá: Plaza & Janes. Retrieved on October 21, 2017 from: books.google.es
2. Duque, C. (2005). Territories and imaginaries between urban places. Identity and region processes in cities of the Colombian Andes. Bogotá: University of Caldas. Retrieved on October 21, 2017 from: books.google.es
3. Koorn, D. (1977) Folk music of the Colombian Andes. Washintong: Washington University. Retrieved on October 21, 2017 from: books.google.es
4. Borsdorf, A; Stadel, C. (2015). The Andes. A Geographical Portrail. Switzerland: Austral. Retrieved on October 21, 2017 from: books.google.es
5. Seven customs of Colombia. Retrieved on October 21, 2017 from: viajesla.com.co
6. Jaramillo, J. (sf). Peasants of the Andes. Bogotá: National University of Colombia. Retrieved on October 21, 2017 from: magazines.unal.edu.co