CULTURE OF THE ORINOQUÍA REGION: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The culture of the Orinoquía region of Colombia is based on the llanera culture. The geographical, economic and social context of the region makes the customs and traditions characteristic of the plains predominate.

The main economic activity in this sector consists of the practice of extensive cattle ranching.

Consequently, the form of work, housing, clothing, dance, music and gastronomy revolve around this factor.

Cultural, recreational and leisure activities in the Colombian Orinoquía depend on the way of life of the llanero. This includes everything from caring for cattle to coleus to cockfighting.

Most of the cultural manifestations are directly related to the practice of coleo and llanera music, which are the main attractions of the region.

Festivals and cultural events

1- International Tournament of “Corrío” Llanero

This event takes place in Puerto Carreño and has taken place every year since 1987, between April 3 and 6.

It is focused on the interpretation of llanera music in various modalities: verses, strong rhythms, Creole passages, counterpoints, among others. Includes coleus of bulls and a local beauty reign.

2- Llanera International Music Festival "La Palometa de Oro"

This festival is also held in Puerto Carreño, the capital of the Vichada department. Its name is due to a native fish of the region.

The La Palometa de Oro festival is held annually, the second half of November, and is aimed at children.

There, various contests for the interpretation of instruments, singing and dancing of the llanera music are held. Fishing days are also held.

3- World Coleus Meeting

It is the most important event in the field of dairy farming, in all of Latin America.

Every year more than 200 coleadores demonstrate their skills to the sound of the harp, the cuatro and the maracas.

It takes place every year, between March 20 and 22, in the Benedicto Cely manga of Las Malocas park, in Villavicencio, capital of the Meta department.

Festivities and legends

1- Araucanidad Day

This day is celebrated on December 4 of each year in the Arauca municipality.

It seeks to commemorate the founding of Arauca within the framework of the gastronomy, dances and typical music of the region.

2- The spirit of La Llorona

It is about the soul of a woman who constantly cries while carrying a child in her arms. Seek help from partying and womanizing men to carry the baby.

Whoever sees La Llorona, stops to help her and receives the child in her arms, becomes her. The person is condemned to roam the plains like a lost soul.

3- The golden child

According to legend, if someone goes out at night to fish in the course of the Arauca River, they may see a golden boy who has a canoe made of the same material.

This child cries desperately for help from the fishermen. When they come to his aid and put him in their boat, it sinks into the river under the weight of the golden child.

References

1. Attend the international tournament of "corrío" llanero (nd). Recovered from: colombia.travel
2. Carnivals and festivals Orinoquía Region (nd). Recovered from: colombiaaprende.edu.co
3. The spirit of La Llorona (sf). Recovered from: llanera.com
4. The golden child (nd). Recovered from: llanera.com
5. Orinoquía region (sf). Recovered from: Colombia.com
6. Romero, María (1984). Orinoco Trials. Bank of the Republic. Bogota Colombia. Recovered from: banrepcultural.org
7. Go to the international children's festival of llanera music "La Palometa de Oro" (nd). Recovered from: colombia.travel
8. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Orinoquía region (Colombia). Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org