Barranquilla's Carnival

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Carnival of Barranquilla
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Dancing at the carnival
Location	Barranquilla, Colombia
Type	Intangible cultural heritage
Reference	00051
UNESCO region	Latin America and the Caribbean
Inscription history
Inscription	2003 (27th Session)
Barranquilla's Carnival' Carnaval de Barranquilla Official name Carnaval de Barranquilla Observed by Various locales, usually ones historically associated with Catholic populations. Type Local, cultural, catholic Significance Celebration prior to fasting season of Lent. Celebrations Parades, parties, orchestras festival Date Four days before Ash Wednesday 2015 date February 14, 15, 16 and 17 2016 date February 6, 7, 8 and 9 2017 date February 25, 26, 27 and 28 Frequency annual Related to Carnival SZ + ADP

Barranquilla's Carnival (Spanish: Carnaval de Barranquilla) is Colombia's most important folkloric celebration, and one of the biggest carnivals in the world. The carnival has traditions that date back to the 19th century. Forty days before Holy Week, Barranquilla decks itself out to receive national and foreign tourists and joins together with the city's inhabitants to enjoy four days of intense festivities. During the carnival, Barranquilla's normal activities are paralyzed because the city gets busy with street dances, musical and masquerade parades. Barranquilla's Carnival includes dances such as the Spanish paloteo, African congo, and indigenous mico y micas. Many styles of Colombian music are also performed, most prominently cumbia, and instruments include drums and wind ensembles. The Carnival of Barranquilla was proclaimed a Cultural Masterpiece of the Nation by Colombia's National Congress in 2002.^[1] Also the UNESCO, in Paris on November 7, 2003, declared it one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and it was during Olga Lucia Rodriquez Carnival Queen year.

The Carnival starts on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday with the Battle of the Flowers (La Batalla de Flores), which is considered one of the main activities. Then, The Great Parade (La Gran Parada) on Sunday and Monday is marked by an Orchestra Festival with Caribbean and Latin bands. Tuesday signals the end of the carnival, announced by the burial of Joselito Carnaval, who is mourned by everyone.

Barranquilla's Carnival slogan is: Those who live it are those who enjoy it (Quien lo vive, es quien lo goza).

History

Very little is known about exactly how and why this carnival began, but one thing that's for sure is the carnival has always represented fun and vitality.

There are many theories as to the origin of this carnival; the most popular belief is that the carnival is the welcoming of spring and a celebration of birth and renewal. The carnival originates from a combination of pagan ceremonies, catholic beliefs and ethnic diversity and is a mixture of the European, African and Indian traditions, dances and music. It was at first a holiday for slaves, and grew to be a celebration of the region.

Although the time of the carnivals beginnings cannot be pin pointed, local beliefs date it back three centuries and it is confirmed that a great deal of the traditions were brought to America by the Spanish and Portuguese. The first notable date in the Carnivals history is the year 1888 when a figure known as King Momo appeared and so the documented history of the Carnival begins. Shortly after this time in 1903 the first known battle of the flowers is recorded, apparently to recover long lost carnival tradition. Fifteen years later a Queen was chosen to preside over the festivities of the carnival and in 1923 the Carnival was institutionalised. In the years that followed the carnival grew and so did the traditions, including the integration of the great parade. The year 2002 represents a great milestone for the Carnival of Barranquilla it is declared by the Senate of the Republic National Culture Heritage. Following shortly afterwards in the year 2003 Carnival of Barranquilla is declared by UNESCO a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

• 1888: King Momo emerges as one of the main characters.
• 1899: The first President of the Carnival and the first Board of directors were elected.
• 1903: The first Battle of Flowers parade (Spanish: Batalla de las Flores) takes place. Thanks to Heriberto Bengoechea's initiative in order to recover the carnival tradition of the previous years. Also to celebrate the end of the War of the One Thousand Days ( Spanish: Guerra de los Mil Dias).
• 1918: The first beauty queen of the carnival is elected and was Alicia Lafaurie Roncallo. The queen is the person in charge of hosting the carnival's ceremonies.
• 1923: The Carnival is institutionalized from that moment on, since the queen contest was cancelled for 5 years.
• 1967: A new event is introduced to the carnival,The Great Parade.It takes place on the second day of the carnival, usually on Sundays.
• 1969: The Orchestra Festival is created, which is a musical competition within the different genres.
• 1974: The first Guacherna takes place by Esther Forero's initiative. The Guacherna is celebrated in the suburbs.
• 2002: The Carnival was declared as Cultural Masterpiece of the Nation.
• 2003: The Carnival of Barranquilla was proclaimed by UNESCO on November 7, as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Activities

The carnival queen during the Battle of Flowers.

A Carnival de Barranquilla costume.

The carnival queen is chosen at the end of the previous year so that she has time to prepare herself. The King Momo is also chosen around this time, and whoever is the queen or the king has taken part in the carnival since childhood and is well known for his carnival spirit. Rehearsals for the carnival start several weeks before the Carnival and every Friday of this season is Carnival Friday.

The Carnival Queen presides over the different events until the symbolic burial of Joselito Carnaval (Joseph Carnival). Carnival starts off with the Pre-Carnival activities. The festival officially begins with the Lectura del Bando, which is the traditional reading of the carnival proclamation. Here it is stated that everyone must enjoy themselves, dance, and party wildly. Although the carnival officially starts with this activity, in Barranquilla there is happiness and joy weeks beforehand. The Pre-Carnival activities include the Lectura Del Bando, Toma de la Ciudad (Taking the City), the Crowing of the Carnival Queen and King, the Children's Carnival Procession, and finally, the most important pre-carnival event, La Guacherna. The Guacherna is a night parade of dances, cumbias, and masquerades and takes place the Friday before the Saturday of Carnival.^[2]

The Carnival starts on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday with the Battle of the Flowers, which is the most important event of the carnival. The Battle of the Flowers is a traditional float parade featuring the greatest and most colorful creations. There is a six-hour show of floats led by the Carnival Queen, who is followed by folk dances, musicians, dance groups, costumed groups, marchers, disguises and fire breathers. The audience can enjoy all the carnival characters here.

Sunday of Carnival is when the Great Parade takes place. It is considered a day of mask and disguises because floats are not present on this day. Different dance groups compete with one another for the coveted prize of performing in the Battle of the Flowers the following year.

Monday is marked by an Orchestra Festival featuring Caribbean and Latin bands from early afternoon until early Tuesday. The Festival involves various categories and groups that compete for the coveted Golden Congo.^[3] The Fantasy Parade is also presented on Monday, and it is a very colorful parade in which all kinds of customs are seen.

Tuesday signals the end of the carnival, culminating in the burial of Joselito Carnaval, who is mourned by everyone. Joselito, a character who symbolizes the joy of the festivities, who had resurrected the Saturday of carnival and dies on the last day tired and hungover to resurrect the following year in the next carnival. Tuesday's parade is shorter than the other parades, and here happy widows participate, crying because of this personage's death. It is like a burial. At night, a funny litany is celebrated with simple lines and its characteristic tone, and current national and international affairs are criticized. The next day is Ash Wednesday, which starts Lent, a 40-day period of religious devotion and abstinence.^[4]

All of the carnival events are often broadcast live by regional television channels. The Carnival of Barranquilla is very important for the economy of the entire region. Tourism increases significantly these 4 days, which are holidays in Barranquilla.

For first-time visitors, it is important to note that there are certain customs that should be followed and accepted. During all activities of Carnaval de Berranquilla, corn starch is commonly thrown onto unsuspecting people, primarily into their faces. In addition, bottles of foam are used to shoot people until they are covered in soapy bubbles. Just make sure that when using corn starch and bottles of foam, you avoid contact with people's eyes as people are rarely fond of that. Finally, one of the biggest customs in Barranquilla, and all over Colombia for that matter, is the consumption of Aguardiente. If a colleague of yours offers you a shot, you must accept it as refusing would be considered disrespectful and unappreciative of the person offering. Follow these simple rules and you'll have a good time.

Music and Dancing

The music consists of a mixture of cumbia, porro, mapale, gaita, chandé, puya, fandango, and fantastic merecumbés. These are examples of many styles of Colombian music. It is a party that gathers up tradition based on the creativity of the Colombian people, and it is expressed by a lot of forms of dancing, music, and by donning different costumes. The Carnaval of Barranquilla is unique because of its cultural diversity and because it is a party in which people are the main protagonists. Every dance, every folkloric group, and every custom plays different roles to make the party the best show on earth.

The Carnaval of Barranquilla is multicultural, diverse, and rich in different cultural expressions.There are traditional dances, choreographic dances; Comparsas (a form of live music), with which the choreography and creativity of dances are expressed; Comedies, like litany are traditional and folkloric popular theater, these are traditional groups that sing in groups ; These can be individual, or collectives, structural, and dramatic.

Costumes and Dances

La Marimonda, which are hooded figures with long noses, floppy ears and bright trousers and vests, is the most popular costume.

Other traditional customs are El Garabato, El Africano, Dracula, El Torito, El Congo, El Monocuco, Los Cabezones, Las Muñeconas, and El Tigrillo. Each costume represents something, and were originated with authenticity, some are based on other costumes around the world but mostly they all have Colombian roots and have a meaning for the barranquilleros specially.^[5]

The Carnival´s dances are: La Cumbia, El Garabato, El Son de Negro, El Congo, El Mapalé, El Caiman, El Paloteo, El Gusano, Las Farotas, De Relacion and Las Pilanderas.

"The cumbia, a good example of the fusion of Indian, Black and White elements that simulates a couple courting and is characterized by the elegance and subtle movements of the woman's hips to the rhythm of a drum and flute."^[6] Another of the main dances is the Garabato, which represents a mystical battle between life and death. The Congo represents African tradition in its movement and also the memory of slavery in America.^[7]

Queens of the Carnaval

Cristina Felfle, Reina 2015.

See also

• Carnival in Colombia
• Festivals in Colombia
• Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
• UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists

References

External links

• Barranquilla Carnival official website
• Barranquilla Carnaval Pictures, Video and Hotel Information
• Joselito Carvajal
• The Battle of Colors (Carnival photo series)
• The Barranquilla Carnival: The Most Colorful Carnival in the World
• Cultura de Barranquilla
• Carnavales de Barranquilla

UNESCO Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity: Representative List
Africa	Aka music Chopi timbila Garifuna culture Afounkaha Gbofe Gelede Gule Wamkulu Ifá Ijele Masquerade Kamablon re-roofing Kankurang Manden Charter Mbende Jerusarema Sosso Bala Ugandan barkcloth making Vimbuza healing dance Yaaral & Degal Zafimaniry woodcrafting Zambian Makishi Festival
Arab States	Ahellil Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah Bedu culture at Petra and Wadi Rum Iraqi maqam Jemaa el-Fnaa Palestinian Hikaye Shashmaqam Song of Sana'a Taghribat Bani Hilal Tan-Tan Moussem
Asia & Pacific	Acupuncture & Moxibustion Ainu dance Akiu no Taue Odori Akyn Angklung "Arirang" Bakhshi music Batik Baul Beijing opera Boysun District Bunraku Cantonese opera Ca trù Chakkirako Cheoyongmu Chhau dance Chinese architecture Chinese block printing Chinese calligraphy Chinese paper cutting Chinese seal engraving Chinese shadow puppetry Daemokjang Daimokutate Dainichido Bugaku Darangen Epic Dragon Boat Festival Drametse Ngacham Epic of King Gesar Farmer's Dance Gagaku Gagok Ganggangsullae Gangneung Danoje Festival Gimjang Gióng Festival Gong culture Grand Song Guqin Guqin music Hayachine Kagura Hitachi Furyumono Hua'er Hudhud Chant Indonesian kris Jamdani Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut Jultagi Kabuki Kalbelia Kashan rug Katta Ashula Khoomei Koshikijima no Toshidon Kumiodori Kunqu Kutiyattam Ladakh chant Lakalaka Lenj boats Lhamo Longquan celadon Mak yong Mazu belief Meshrep Mibu no Hana Taue Morin khuur Mosie ramie Mudiyett Muqam Naadam Namsadang Nori Nanyin Naqqāli Nhã nhạc Noh Oku-noto no Aenokoto Pahlevani and zoorkhaneh rituals Pansori Quan họ Radif Ramlila Ramman Royal Ballet of Cambodia Regong arts Royal Ancestral Ritual Sada Shin Noh Saman dance Sand drawing Sbek Toch Sekishu-Banshi Shiraz rug Taekkyeon Ta'zīye Urtiin Duu Vedic chanting Wayang Xi'an ensemble Xuan paper Yamahoko Yeongsanjae Yūki-tsumugi Yunjin
Europe & N. America	Albanian iso-polyphony Ashik Ashiqs of Azerbaijan Aubusson tapestry Azerbaijani rug weaving Azerbaijani tar Baltic song and dance celebrations Bećarac Busójárás Căluş Cante Alentejano Cantu a tenore Carnival of Aalst Carnival of Binche Castell Chovgan Christmas Tsars Council of Wise Men of the plain of Murcia & Water Tribunal of the plain of Valencia Copper craftsmanship of Lahij Cremona violins Croatian lacemaking Daina Daredevils of Sassoun Doina Duduk Fado Falconry Festivity of 'la Mare de Déu de la Salut' of Algemesí Festivity of Saint Blaise Flamenco French timber framing scribing Fujara Georgian vocal polyphony Horezu ceramics Houtem Jaarmarkt Hrvatsko Zagorje toys Istrian scale Jem Karagöz and Hacivat Kelaghayi Keşkek Khachkar Kihnu culture Kırkpınar Klapa Kryždirbystė Kvevri wine La Patum Lefkaritika Licitar Ljelje/Kraljice Makishi Festival Maldovan Christmas Carols Maloya Manas Meddah Mediterranean diet Mesir Macunu Mugham Mystery Play of Elche Nestinarstvo Nijemo Kolo Nowruz Azerbaijani Indian Iranian Turkish Ojkanje Olonkho Opera dei Pupi Petrykivka decorative painting Procession of the Holy Blood Sama Semeiskie culture Seto Leelo Silbo Gomero Sinjska alka Slovácko Verbuňk Turkish Sohbet The Song of the Sibyl Suiti culture Sutartinės Táncház Turkish coffee Viennese cafes Wajãpi culture Za križen Zvončari
Caribbean & Latin America	Carnaval de Barranquilla Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit of the Congos of Villa Mella Candombe Carnaval de Negros y Blancos Carnaval de Oruro Círio de Nazaré Cocolo Costa Rican oxherding Dancing Devils of Yare Danza de los Voladores Danza de tijeras Frevo Garifuna culture Gióng Festival Harakmbut Huaconada Indigenous Day of the Dead Kallawaya culture Mexican cuisine Moore Town's Maroon Heritage Palenque de San Basilio Panama hat Parachico Peña de Bernal Pirekua Popayán Holy Week processions Pütchipü'ü Quyllur Rit'i Rabinal Achí Samba de Roda South Pacific Colombian marimba Tango Taquile textiles La Tumba Francesa Vallenato Wajãpi culture Yaokwa Záparo culture

Coordinates: 10°57′50″N 74°47′47″W / 10.96389°N 74.79639°W / 10.96389; -74.79639

• Media related to Barranquilla's Carnival at Wikimedia Commons