Posts Tagged ‘Colombia Culture and Trends’

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.

Art

Close to one million people in Colombia earn a living directly or indirectly from the country’s vibrant arts and crafts sector. Colombians have been producing art for thousands of years. Ornate golden figures and jewelry from millennia ago have been discovered by both ruthless conquistadors and careful archaeological digs.

Some Colombian artists, such as Fernando Botero, Enrique Grau, David Manzur, Luis Caballero, Santiago Martinez Delgado, Ignacio Gomez Jaramillo, Débora Arango, and have received international fame, awards and wide public acclaim.

Colombian art has 3,500 years of history and covers a wide range of media and styles ranging from Spanish Baroque devotional painting to Quimbaya gold craftwork to the “lyrical americanism” of painter Alejandro Obregón (1920-1992). Perhaps the most internationally acclaimed Colombian artist is painter and sculptor Fernando Botero (1932).

Pre-Columbian sculpture

Pottery

There is archaeological evidence of ceramic production and sedentary groups living on Colombia’s Caribbean coast (near the towns of San Jacinto, Monsú, Puerto Chacho, and Puerto Hormiga) beginning around the year 5940 BCE around the town of San Jacinto. This would place these pottery shards among the oldest ever recovered anywhere. Little is known of these very early Colombians other than that they were hunter-gatherers who adorned their pottery with human, animal, and geometric designs.

Goldwork

The earliest examples of gold craftsmanship have been attributed to the Tumaco people of the Pacific coast and date to around 325 BCE. Gold would play a pivotal role in luring the Spanish to the area now called Colombia during the 16th century (See: El Dorado).

One of the most valued artifacts of Pre-Columbian goldwork is the so-called Poporo Quimbaya, a small (23.5 x 11.4 cm), hollow, devotional object (used to mambeo or coca leaf chewing ritual) made of gold whose aesthetic harmony, simple elegance, and mathematical symmetry are striking and almost modern.

The Museo del Oro in Bogotá displays the most important collection of pre-Columbian gold handicraft in the Americas.

Roughly between 200 BCE and 800 CE, the San Agustín culture, masters of stonecutting, entered its “classical period.” They erected raised ceremonial centres, sarcophagi, and large stone monoliths depicting anthropomorphic and zoomorphhic forms out of stone. Some of these have been up to five meters high.

Related to the San Agustín culture were the inhabitants of Tierradentro (“inner land,” so called because of its inaccessibility) who created over one hundred and fifty underground tombs, or hypogea; their walls and ceilings were richly decorated with geometric forms recalling the interior of palm huts. Also in the tombs were found funeral urns, bowls, and pitchers.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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.

Sports in Colombia refers to the practice of sports in the Republic of Colombia. There are Professional sports leagues as well as amateur leagues for numerous sports being Football (soccer) and cycling the most practiced and popular sports in Colombia. The Government of Colombia sponsors numerous individuals and teams nationally and internationally through the Ministry of Culture for competitions in representation of Colombia despite the country’s economical and social problems throughout the years. Professional Sports achievements are subject to national pride for Colombians.

Football (soccer)

Football was introduced by British workers in Santa Marta and Barranquilla in the late 19th Century while working for multinational companies such as the United Fruit Company and the construction of the railroad in the Caribbean region and later to Bogotá were the leagues developed. The professional practice of football (soccer) is managed by the Federación Colombiana de Fútbol (Colombian Federation of Football) which has managed the professional level of football soccer in Colombia since its foundation on July 20, 1924. The organization is associated to the FIFA and CONMEBOL since 1936. The Colombia national football team participated in a FIFA World Cup in 1962 followed by others in 1990, 1994 and 1998. The best presentation being in 1990 when the team reached the second round.

Its most notorious achievement was the winning of the Copa América 2001 edition, which was also hosted in Colombia. It also classified for the 1968, 1972, 1980 and 1992 Summer Olympics. Throughout the years many Colombians have also worked for leagues in other nations. The national leagues compete in the Copa Mustang which also participates in international tournaments like Copa Libertadores de América upon winning or finishing in the first places.

Cycling

Professional Cycling in Colombia became very popular after the triumphs of Martín Emilio “Cochise” Rodríguez in European cycling competitions which in turn helped to develop the Colombian Cycling Federation. Rodriguez was later followed by a generation of bicyclers known as the “Colombian beetles” which include up to this date Luis “Lucho” Herrera, Luis Felipe Laverde, Fabio Parra, Víctor Hugo Peña, Santiago Botero and more recently Mauricio Soler. These competitors created a fan base in Colombia which in turn helped to create the Vuelta a Colombia a local cycling competition.

During the 1990s the government of the Colombian capital, Bogotá introduced the Ciclovía which became popular and were introduced later into other Colombian cities. The government of Bogotá later built the Bogota’s Bike Paths Network to sponsor the practice of sports by the population and to curve the city’s increasing pollution by drivers. The network extends throughout the city with bicycle use increasing 5 times in the city. There is an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 trips made daily in Bogotá by bicycle. A large portion of this use is in southern poorer areas.

Champions

· María Luisa Calle, bronze medal winner in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and World Champion.

· Fabio Parra, 3rd place in the tour de France, 1988

· Santiago Botero, Counter-clock world champion

· Martín Emilio “Cochise” Rodríguez, Hour competition world champion and world Champion in 4000 m pursuit.

· Marlon Pérez, Youth World Champion by points, 1994

· Efraín Domínguez, Double world record in kilometer and 200 m pushed 1987

· Maria Luisa Calle, Medalla de Bronce Juegos Olímpicos Atenas 2004, Campeona mundial 2006

· Lucho Herrera, “El jardinerito”, Champion of the Dauphiné Libéré 1988, 1991 and Vuelta a España, 1987

· Martín Ramírez Champion Dauphiné Libéré 1984

· Alfonso Florez Ortiz Champion Tour de l’Avenir, 1980

· Víctor Canto, only Colombian cyclist to wear the Yellow jersey in a Tour de France leader, 2003.

Martial Arts

Boxing

Professional Boxing in Colombia is mostly practiced in Caribbean region and in poor areas of the western regions of Colombia. Boxing in Colombia was also introduced by Europeans in the late 19th Century and became popular in Latin America in the early 20th Century and in Colombia became popular in the 1960s with the triumphs of Antonio “Kid Pambele” Cervantes who became a two time world Jr. Welterweight champion. He was then followed by boxers like Prudencio Cardona, Rodrigo Valdéz, Fidel Bassa, and many more. The success of these boxers created a fan base and many Colombians started to follow the sport. The National Boxing Commission of Colombia (Comisión Nacional de Boxeo de Colombia) was created and regulated the practice of boxing in Colombia.

In the 1980s the success of Miguel “Happy” Lora reigned in the bantam weight division (118 pounds) -WBC- from 1985 to 1988 and the silver medal in the Pan American Games of Carlos José Tamara. Another boxers have figured internationally and won some tittles such as Ener Julio, Joel Julio, among others.

During the 1990s surged Irene “Mambaco” Pacheco who became a world champion in the IBF Flyweight category and in the 2000s Fulgencio Zúñiga current IBO Super middleweight champion.

Champions

· Tomas Molinares, World Boxing champion, welter jr division (WBA) 1988

· Prudencio Cardona World Boxing champion, light division 1982 (WBC)

· Ricardo cardona World Boxing champion

· Elvis Álvarez World Boxing champion light division 1989-1990 (WBO), 1991 (WBA)

· Irene Pacheco World Boxing champion FIB, fly division 1999

· Kermin Guardia World Boxing champion OMB, minimum division

· Beibis Mendoza World Boxing champion AMB, minifly division

· Camilo el “Bambino” García World Boxing champion FIB, fly division 1992

· Daniel Reyes World Boxing champion FIB, minimum division

· Rodrigo Valdes World Boxing champion AMB – CMB medium division

· Luis “Chicanero” Mendoza World Boxing champion

· Jorge Eliecer Julio World Boxing champion and Bronce medal 1988 Olympic Games

· Mauricio Pastrana World Boxing champion

· Antonio Cervantes “Kid” Pambelé World Boxing champion welter jr

· Miguel “Happy” Lora World Boxing champion 1985 until 1988 (WBC)

· Fidel Bassa World Boxing champion, light division 1987 – 1989 (WBA)

· Rafael “Derby” Pineda Campeón Mundial de Boxeo Welter jr

· Ener Julio World Boxing champion welter jr

· Edison Miranda

· Carlos Maussa World Boxing champion welter jr

· Miguel “Huracán” Barrera World Boxing champion FIB, minimum division

· Miguel “Mascara” Maturana World Boxing champion Aficionado rooster division, Montreal, Canadá 1981

· Joel Julio

· Robinsón Pitalúa

· Clemente Pérez, bronce medal, 1972 Summer Olympics

· Alfonso Pérez bronce medal 1972 Summer Olympics

· Rubén “Huracán” Palacios World Boxing champion feather division OMB

· Juan Urango World Boxing champion super light division FIB

Roller skating

With the introduction of inline Inline skates in Colombia during the 1990s roller skating became widely practiced throughout most of the main cities in the country. It was mostly popular in the main and medium size cities such as Cartagena, Cali, Bogotá, Pasto, Barrancabermeja, Barranquilla, Medellín and Valledupar.

GOLF

Camilo Villegas is the most renowned Colombian golfer in the world. He has been a PGA Tour professional in the United States since 2006. In 2008, Camilo Villegas was the first PGA Tour player in 11 years to win his first two PGA Tour events back-to-back. He is presently among the Top 10 ranked golfers in the world according to the Official World Golf Rankings.

Marisa Baena was the inaugural Champion of the HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship, in 2005.

Camilo Benedetti, Diego Vanegas and Manuel (“Manny”) Villegas (younger brother of Camilo Villegas) are presently playing professional golf in the United States on the Nationwide Tour with hopes of graduating to the PGA Tour.