The Carnival of Barranquilla, in Colombia, is one of the most colorful and spectacular parties in the Latin American country. Although it is less well known than its Brazilian neighbor, the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro, the truth is that the Colombian party has centuries of history and was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2003.
The origins of this Carnival go back to the Spanish and Portuguese colonial times, since it is a Christian festival brought by the colonists. Carnivals actually come from ancient Greco-Roman celebrations, known as Bacchanalia, Saturnalia or Dionysia, which were assimilated by Christianity.
Carnival of European, American and African origins
In the case of the Carnival of Barranqulla, it is believed that its origin is due to the festivities that took place in Cartagena de Indias, under the colonial government of Spain, as a slave party.
As the years passed, the Carnivals lost importance compared to other Christian festivals such as La Candelaria, which is why they moved from Cartagena to Barranquilla permanently at the beginning of the 20th century, when the city was experiencing a moment of economic and demographic boom with a large population. immigrants from different cultures.
In this way, the Carnival of Barranquilla has been configured as a multicultural festival in which the Christian and pagan tradition coming from Europe and the rites of the indigenous peoples of South America and Africa come together.
The modern Carnivals of Barranquilla
- The official origin of the Carnival of Barranquilla occurred in the year 1876 when the city was a small town, although there are vestiges that it was celebrated from years ago. Among the protagonists of the party is the one known as Rey Momo or the Queen of Carnival.
- The Carnivals of Barranquilla have two parts, the pre-carnivals and the parties themselves. During the pre-carnivals, the reading of the side stands out, similar to a proclamation of the festivities, the coronation of the Queen and the Guacherna, a popular costume parade with folk music, which takes place on the night of Carnival Friday to Saturday.
- The official festivities kick off with the Battle of Flowers, on Carnival Saturday. This is the most anticipated event, a traditional and spectacular parade of floats headed by the Queen of Carnival. In it, music groups, troupes and people in costumes parade, all decorated with flowers. It is the oldest of the festivities and dates back to 1903.
- The rest of the days are known for the so-called ‘Great Parades’, other parades full of color and folklore, such as the Great Parade of Tradition and Folklore on Carnival Sunday or the Great Parade of Fantasy on Monday. On Shrove Tuesday, and as the end of the festivities, the Death and Burial of Joselito is celebrated, with paraphernalia similar to that known in Spain as the Burial of the Sardine. After Joselito is buried, the people of Barranquilla wait a whole year for him to rise again with the festivities.