- The 5 most popular traditions of the Colombian Pacific region
- 1- Light and colorful clothing
- 2- Seasoned food
- 3- Fishing and sowing
- 4- Celebrations and festivities
- 5- Language
- References
The traditions of the Pacific region of Colombia are framed in the strong presence of Afro-Colombian culture. The way of dressing, the seasoning of its gastronomy and the festivities celebrated are some of its most pronounced customs.
These vary according to the region or the area of the Pacific coast, although generally they come from the same traditions that brought the African ancestors settled in Chocó, to the north of the Pacific coast.
When the Africans arrived in these regions, they spread their customs and culture, which are still deeply rooted in the Pacific region of Colombia.
The 5 most popular traditions of the Colombian Pacific region
1- Light and colorful clothing
The clothing of the inhabitants is characterized by the use of light garments and fresh clothes made of linen and cotton fabrics.
Women wear colorful dresses and headscarves, which refer to the old clothes of black slaves in colonial times.
In men, shorts, white cotton shirts and straw hats stand out, used with the purpose of withstanding the sun, water or saltpeter of the sea when they are engaged in fishing or harvesting crops.
2- Seasoned food
The food of the Pacific coast is usually very seasoned, with a dominance of salty flavors.
Seafood and fish are usually prepared, with the distinctive use of refried from the Pacific region.
They also use green plantains as the main component of the Pacific gastronomy. This is present in almost all the meals of its inhabitants.
3- Fishing and sowing
The inhabitants of the Pacific region of Colombia exercise fishing and sowing as the main economic and production activities of the Pacific coast.
Numerous fishing villages are distributed along the entire coast, and planting activities are usual in the different departments.
These activities can become subsistence in very poor sectors, as well as commercialization and export in high production sectors.
An example of the development of these economic activities is in the department of Valle del Cauca, which has 5.37% of the national agricultural production and 36% of the country's total fishing production.
4- Celebrations and festivities
The inhabitants of the Pacific are characterized by having a joyful spirit in their many festivities.
Accompanied by music and dance, they highlight the Afro-Colombian culture that highlights them. The most important celebrations are the following:
- The San Pacho Festivities, in Chocó.
- The Currulao Festival and the Fire Carnival, in Tumaco.
- The Procession of the Virgin of Atocha, in Barbacoas.
- The Fiestas de la Purísima, in Guapi.
- The Folkloric Festival of the Pacific Coast, in Buenaventura.
5- Language
Perhaps the most characteristic custom of the inhabitants of the Pacific coast is their word and way of expressing themselves, known as Pacific Spanish.
Highlights the colloquial language and the substitution of consonants at the end of words. In the context of a conversation, the "vos" is often used to denote the second person. This is known as "voseo."
References
- Pacific Region (Colombia). Rescued on October 28, 2017, from Wikipedia: wikipedia.org
- Typical Costumes of the Pacific Region. Retrieved on October 28, 2017, from Viaje Jet: viajejet.com
- The Delights and Delicacies of the Colombian Pacific Coast for the World. Retrieved on October 28, 2017, from Colombia: colombia.co
- Cauca's Valley. Rescued on October 28, 2017, from Wikipedia: wikipedia.org
- Spanish Chocoano. Rescued on October 28, 2017, from Wikipedia: wikipedia.org