The culture of the Andean region is consolidated from the meeting of three civilizations; the black, the European and the indigenous.
In the Andean region there are the main Colombian cities and cultural regions as rich as La Paisa, Santandereana, Cundiboyacense, Vallecaucana, Opita and Pastuso.
Most of the cultural characteristics of Colombia would begin to consolidate from the Spanish colonization, since they exercised an almost absolute dominance that lasted in all aspects of social life.
Catholicism, a religion established by the Spanish, will also be a primary factor in the culture of Colombia and the entire Andean region.
Main cultural features of the Andean region
The Colombian Andean region covers a wide territory. This allowed common cultural traits to be consolidated, but also for each department to maintain its identity.
The identity traits of each of the Andean regions were derived from factors as varied as, for example, the place of origin of the colonizer.
Depending on the region of Spain from which they arrived, their cultural traits would present variations and would become notorious even in the formation of dialects.
From there it is derived that in the Andes they speak of cultural regions and even dialects such as Paisa Spanish, Pastuso or Serrano Andean Spanish, Tolima Spanish, Condiboyacense or Bogota Rolo.
Artistic manifestation
The Andean region, containing the main cities of Colombia, has been the epicenter of the most important artistic manifestations and has seen the birth of the great characters of letters, literature and art.
A peculiarity of the art of the Andean region was that it was maintained for several centuries from the 16th to the 19th without many variations.
The cause is attributed to the fact that due to its geographical location it remained relatively isolated and without much contact with the trends that were emerging.
The art of the colonial period was intimately related to religion. It actually served as an instrument for the spread of the Catholic faith. Paintings and religious (churches) and civic architecture stand out from this period.
Literature
With respect to literature, important figures have given very valuable contributions such as Jorge Isaacs, a native of Cali, or Gabriel García Márquez, who, although not Andean by birth, develops his literary work from Bogotá.
In the field of music and dance, the most important contributions have come from this region. The bambuco, his most significant tune and dance, served as the basis for the construction of multiple rhythms.
Gastronomy
The Andean region of Colombia is also known for its gastronomic culture. Its gastronomy has spread throughout the world and the dishes from that area serve to represent Colombia.
Highlight the paisa tray, the ajiaco, the changua or Andean pinch for breakfast, arepas of ground corn, wrapped in corn, sancocho paisa, pork cannon.
References
- Ocampo, J. (2006). Colombian folklore, customs and traditions. Bogotá: Plaza & Janes. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: books.google.es
- 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 23, 2017 from: books.google.es
- Koorn, D. (1977) Folk music of the Colombian Andes. Washintong: Washington University. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: books.google.es
- Borsdorf, A; Stadel, C. (2015). The Andes. A Geographical Portrail. Switzerland: Austral. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: books.google.es
- Seven customs of Colombia. Retrieved on October 21, 2017 from: viajesla.com.co
- Jaramillo, J. (sf). Peasants of the Andes. Bogotá: National University of Colombia. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: magazines.unal.edu.co