Archive for the ‘Colombia Culture and Trends’ Category

National symbols of Colombia

The National symbols of Colombia are the symbols which represent the national identity of the Republic of Colombia as a sovereign state. The national symbols intend to represent the Colombian identity by creating visual, verbal cultural iconic representations of the national people, values, goals, and history.

These symbols are often rallied around as part of celebrations of patriotism and are designed to be inclusive and representative of all the peoples of the national community.

National Flag of Colombia

The Colombian flag was defined in 1934 by the Decrees 861 of 1934, expedited by the Government of Colombia during the presidencies of General Pedro Nel Ospina and Enrique Olaya Herrera.

As defined in the Constitution of Colombia Decree number 861 of May 17, 1934 in Article 1, the pavilion, flag and standard of the Republic of Colombia is composed by the yellow, blue and red colors distributed in three horizontal stripes. The yellow top stripe is positioned in the upper area of the flag and has a width of half of the entire flag horizontally. The other two stripes the middle blue and the bottom red will each be a fourth of the total area of the flag. The yellow color represents Colombia’s gold and natural wealthiest; the blue color represents the two oceans that border Colombia, the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, rivers and the sky; the red color represents the blood of the patriots that fought against the Spanish monarchy to gain the independence of Colombia. Authorized variations of the Colombian flag also represent the merchant flag of Colombia, the War flag of Colombia exclusively used by the Colombian Army. The flag with the Colombian coat of arms is of exclusive use of the armed institutions of Colombia.

Other variations on the interpretation of the colors exist, such as, “Yellow, for the sun and land of the people. Blue, for the water that holds up the people and finally, Red, for the blood shed by the people who fought for the independence of Colombia.”

Coat of arms of Colombia

The coat of arms of Colombia is considered the symbols of all symbols in Colombia. The coat of arms integrates the major symbols for which the Colombian identity prevails. It was updated by Protocol based in Decree 1967 of 1991 as stated in the Colombian Constitution of 1991. The coat of arms of Colombia is only used in the center of the flag of the President of Colombia, war flag of Colombia and official documents. It can also be used for educational or display purposes within the guidelines of respect for the symbol.

The Coat of Arms was introduced on May 9th, 1834.

The coat of arms is in the shape of a shield (Swiss form) and is 6 parts wide by 8 parts high. It is divided into three distinct horizontal sections.

The upper section, on a blue field, has in its center an open gold pomegranate with red grains inside, a golden stem and leaves. On each side of the pomegranate there is a recumbent golden cornucopia, the one on the left pouring coins toward the pomegranate, and the one on the right full of tropical fruits. The pomegranate (granada) denotes the name of the country at the time the coat of arms was introduced (La Nueva Granada) and the cornucopias symbolize the wealth of the land, its minerals and the rich soils of the tropical zone.  The middle section shows a Phrygian cap (the symbol of freedom) on a platinum field (a Colombian precious metal).  The lower section shows the Panamanian Isthmus separating the two adjacent silver seas, with a black ship, sails unfurled, on each of them.  The Isthmus no longer belongs to Colombia.  The condor, representing freedom, perches at the top of the coat of arms.  Hanging from its beak is a laurel wreath, intertwined with a golden waved ribbon tied to the emblem. The words “Libertad y Orden” (Freedom and Order) are written in black on the ribbon.

Four tilted lances rise from the sides of the coat of arms, two on the right and two on the left, from which hang four Colombian flags which surround the emblem. The flags are bound together at the bottom tip of the shield.

The national bird

The national bird of Colombia is the Andean condor which is represented in the coat of arms posing over the centered shield with its wings wide open as covering the rest of the symbols under its wings and with an extended golden tape within its claws reading “Liberty and Order”. The condor holds in its peak a crown of laurels which symbolizes the achievement of the patriotic warriors for gaining the independence and its head faces towards the word “Liberty” in the golden tape.

The Andean condor inhabits the Andes mountain range. Although it is primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion, this species belongs to the New World vulture family Cathartidae. The condor is one of the largest birds on Earth with a wingspan ranging from 274–310 cm (108–122 in) and weighting up to 11–15 kg (24–33 lb) for males and 7.5–11 kg (16–24 lb) for females, but overall length can range from 117 to 135 cm (46 to 53 inches). The adult plumage is of a uniform black, with the exception of a frill of white feathers nearly surrounding the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large patches or bands of white on the wings which do not appear until the completion of the first moulting. As an adaptation for hygiene, the head and neck have few feathers, exposing the skin to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and ultraviolet light at high altitudes, and are meticulously kept clean by the bird. The head is much flattened above. In the male it is crowned with a dark red caruncle or comb, while the skin of the neck in the male lies in folds, forming a wattle. The skin of the head and neck is capable of flushing noticeably in response to emotional state, which serves to communicate between individuals. Juveniles have grayish-brown general coloration. Head and neck of blackish skin and brown ruff.

Family

The family is, as it is with almost all of Latin America, a very important institution to Colombians as imprinted by the traditional Roman Catholic Church tradition. Members of the extended family are close and children hardly ever move far away from their parents. There is a deep sense of familial responsibility that stretches through many generations.

By tradition, men were more often than not the head of the household, in charge of earning most of the family’s income while women were in charge for cooking, housework and raising children. On the other hand, as in most cultures around the world, the dawn of the 20th century brought forth a great empowerment for women who were given a right to vote during the 1950s rule of dictator Gustavo Rojas Pinilla. The Constitution of 1991 gave a greater opportunity for women and today the majority of families (regardless of economic class) have two working parents due to the need of an income to sustain a family.

Divorce

At a child’s baptism, the parents of the child will choose godparents, padrinos. A child’s padrinos will play an important role in his life, giving advice, and when needed, financial support.

Before 1974 marriage was solely performed by the Roman Catholic Church and other religious groups until the government of Alfonso Lopez Michelsen (1974-1978) permitted the civil marriage that could only be ended after a legal divorce. It was only after the Colombian Constitution of 1991 that Colombian lawmakers admitted divorces for marriages performed by the Catholic Church.

On June 9, 2005 the Colombian congress permitted the Express Divorce law in an attempt to get rid of paperwork and waits. These previously took an average of 6 weeks, a judge and lawyers, with the new law the two parties had to only agree against a notary public without the need of a lawyer. According to a study by the Universidad Externado divorce in Colombia has been continuously increasing since the 1950s.

Colombians love their meat

National Cuisine

Colombian food is characterized by its blending of European cuisine with aspects of indigenous cuisine.

Even if there is no consensus as to which one dish can be considered the true “national dish,” the arepa and sancocho can be considered excellent candidates. Other famous regional dishes consist of the bandeja paisa, ajiaco, the lechona Tolimense, the mote de queso, and cuchuco.

“Fritanga is a set of dishes that can be likened to barbecue. It is enjoyed throughout the entire country. Fritanga usually includes grilled beef and chicken, ribs, and sausage such as morcilla, chorizo, longaniza, and chunchullo (fried cow intestines) accompanied by mini potatoes and arepas made of choclo (sweet corn).”

Staples of the Colombian diet include tubers such as potatoes and yuca, alongside meat such as beef, chicken, pork, or fish. Grains such as corn and rice are commonly consumed. The plantain is a vital element of the Colombian diet, as are vegetables such as onion, garlic, pepper, and tomato. Legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils are eaten frequently.

A myriad of fruit species grow in Colombia, and many fruits considered “exotic” commonly grow in Colombian forests and in the countryside. The climate and geography favor a great variety of crops, as well as a great variety of both freshwater and saltwater fish.

Regional Cuisine

In Bogotá and the Andean region, ajiaco is a traditional dish. It is a soup made of chicken, corn, potatoes, avocado, and guascas, a local herb. Traditionally, cream and capers are added at the table before eating. Ajiaco is served with white rice, salad with a hint of lemon, avocado, or sweet or salty tostadas. For breakfast, people in Bogotá often eat changua, a milk, scallion and egg soup.

Along the Caribbean coast, fish and lobster are used in mild spicy food. Coconut rice is a common dish along the coastal cities. Suero, which is a cross between yogurt and sour cream, is widely consumed, and was introduced by Arab immigrants in Baranquilla and other coastal cities. The arepa has many forms in the Caribbean region, which include arepa limpia, arepe’huevo (arepa with egg), and arepae’queso (arepa with cheese). In the Llanos of the east, barbecued meat is common, due to the cowboy-like culture. Dishes such as the ternera llanera are cooked on a vertical spit over an open fire. Freshwater fish such as the amarillo are also eaten.

In the Amazon, Brazilian and Peruvian influences can be seen in the local food. Local resources such as beef and other livestock, as well as freshwater fish, are typical ingredients in Amazonian cuisine.

There is a wide variety of dishes that take into account the difference in regional climates

In the city of Medellín the distinctive dish is the bandeja paisa. The majority of the people in Medellín don’t eat bandeja paisa but people in other cities and countries eat this food often.  It includes beans, rice, ground meat or carne asada, chorizo, fried egg, arepa and chicharrón.  It is typically accompanied by avocado, tomato and sauces.

In the city of Cali, the most traditional dish is “sancocho de gallina” – a soup composed mostly of chicken, plantain, corn, coriander, yuca root, and other seasonings.

Chicken is liked by many Colombians

In the main city of Colombia, Bogotá and the Andean region, “ajiaco” is the traditional dish. It is also a type of soup made of chicken, potatoes, and flavored with a locally grown herb called “guasca”. Traditionally, cream and capers are added just before eating. Both soups are served with white rice, salads with a hint of lemon, avocado, or plantain chips, sweet or salty. For breakfast people often eat changua, a milk, scallion and egg soup.

In the Caribbean coast most of the food are spicy, usually with fish and lobster, Coconut rice is a common dish along the coastal cities.

Mango and Coconut Rice Colombia

In the Llanos, barbecued meat, such as the “ternera llanera” is common, and also typical river fishes like the “amarillo“.

Barbecued Meat

In the Amazonas, the cuisine is influenced by Brazilian and Peruvian traditions.

Inland, the dishes reflect the mix of cultures, influenced mainly from Amerindian and European cuisine, and the produce of the land mainly agriculture, cattle, river fishing and other animals’ raising. Such is the case of the sancocho soup in Valledupar, the arepas (a corn based bread like patty). Local species of animals like the guaratinaja, part of the wayuu Amerindian culture.

In the Tolima region the Tamales Tolimenses are a delicacy. These tamales are made of a corn dough and feature peas, carrots, potatoes, rice, chicken, pork and various spices. They are wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled for three to four hours. Bandebono for breakfast with hot chocolate.

Colombian cuisine refers to the cooking traditions and practices of Colombia. Along with other cultural expressions of national identity, Colombian cuisine varies among its many distinct regions.

Colombian Culture

Colombian Culture lies at the crossroads of Latin America and the broader American continent. It has been greatly fragmented into five major cultural regions. Thanks partly to geography, Rural to urban migration and globalization have transformed how many Colombians live and express themselves as large cities become melting pots of people (many of whom are refugees) from the various provinces that have hit Colombia A study in late 2004 by the Erasmus University in Rotterdam states that Colombians are one of the happiest people in the world.

What is Colombian culture

Numerous aspects of Colombian culture can be traced back to the culture of Spain of the sixteenth century and its collision with Colombia’s native civilizations (see: Muisca, Tayrona). Spanish brought Catholicism, African slaves, the feudal encomienda system, and a caste system that favored European-born whites. After freedom from Spain, the criollos struggled to build a pluralistic political system between conservative and liberal ideals. The conservatives supported the participation of the Catholic Church in the state while liberals favored the separation of these. The conservatives managed to outsource public education to the Catholic Church and for countless years the church controlled the country’s education system. Both parties engaged in multiple civil wars resulting in a slow development of the country and the isolation of regions until the end of the 19th century.

Ethno-racial groups maintained their ancestral heritage culture: whites tried to keep themselves, despite the growing number of illegitimate children of mixed African or indigenous ancestry. These people were labeled with any number of descriptive names, derived from the casta system, such as mulatto and moreno. Throughout this time it was normal for white individuals to marry a sibling or close cousin to maintain their inheritance within the family. Blacks and indigenous people of Colombia also mixed to form zambos creating a new ethno-racial group in society. This mix also created a fusion of cultures. Carnivals for example became an opportunity for all classes and colors to gather together without prejudice.

The introduction of the bill of rights of men and the abolishment of slavery (1850) eased the segregationist tensions
between the races, but the dominance of the whites prevailed and prevails to some extent to this day. The industrial revolution arrived relatively late at the beginning of the 20th century with the establishment of the Republic of Colombia. Colombians had a period of almost 50 years of relative peace interrupted only by a short armed conflict with Peru over the town of Leticia in 1932.

In the 1940s, Colombia started to build up its tourist industry having as main attraction the Caribbean coastal city of Santa Marta and the Magdalena river basin main towns which also had a prosperous economy and an important flow of immigrants from Europe and the Middle East due to World War II.

With the advancement of the ideas of communism around the world, Colombian fundamental liberal politicians and thinkers adopted these ideas and adapted to their political rhetoric. Tensions between the United States and the USSR during the Cold War revived tension between local Colombian liberals and conservatives, polarizing Colombian society. Radical communist guerrillas surged sponsored by the USSR while the US government aided the Colombian government.