Colors and Culture: The Legacy of Colombia's Palenqueras
If you’ve ever been to Colombia it probably didn’t take too long of a walk on the streets of Cartagena for you to encounter beautiful women in colorful dresses selling fruits and candy. These are the Palenqueras of Cartagena!
The Palenqueras are part of a distinct cultural group known for their vibrant traditional dresses, lively personalities, and unique Afro-Colombian heritage.
More Than Colorful Dresses
The Palenquera culture emerged from the town of San Basilio de Palenque. Their history goes back to the colonial era when Africans were brought as slaves to the region. The town was a refuge place for escaped slaves in the 17th century, becoming one of the first free African settlements in the Americas. Over time, the mixture of African ethnic groups and Spanish colonialism developed a distinct culture and language called Palenquero.
Palenqueras in their beautiful, colorful dresses.
Symbol of Cartagena’s Cultural Heritage
The Palenqueras are primarily known for their role as fruit vendors in the streets of Cartagena. They carry large bowls of tropical fruits and goods, roaming the city’s historic center and interacting with locals and tourists. However, that is just a surface-level part of what they represent to Cartagena’s cultural heritage. Traditional Palenquero music blends African rhythms with Caribbean influences, and their dances, such as the mapalé and champeta, showcase their energetic and joyful style. Oral traditions and storytelling also play an essential role in preserving their history and cultural practices.
Champeta and mapalé dance styles being peformed at the annual Barranquilla Carnival.
Beyond Cartagena
The town of Cartagena makes it a priority to preserve and celebrate the heritage of the Palenquera culture, establishing cultural centers and creating a space where the Palenquero language and customs can be taught. Moreover, these efforts of recognition and appreciation have taken place on an international level. UNESCO has deemed San Basilio de Palenque a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Musical activity at one of the Palenquera cultural places in Cartagena.
Finally, the Palenquera culture of Cartagena represents a vibrant and resilient community that not only has maintained its African roots and cultural tradition but contributes greatly to the diverse cultural landscape of Colombia.
If you want to learn more about Colombia and experience the warm and vivid culture of the Palenqueras, join us on our next Viva Cartagena tour!
To know more about upcoming dates and info sessions, visit our main page.
