Columbia
Columbia (basic information)
A unique culture of Spanish culture and other mixed cultures. Columbia is bordered by the Pacific Ocean were their traditions are diverse, with a broad group that have unique customs, accents, social patterns, and cultural adaptations. These groups are classified into three cultures: those in the interior, the countryside, and the coastal regions.
Modern Colombian music is a mixture of African, native Indigenous and European (Spanish) influences, as well as more modern American and Caribbean musical forms, such as Trinidadian, Cuban, and Jamaican.
The official language is Spanish, which was imposed during the colonial period. All Colombians speak it except some of the indigenous populations in the Amazonian basin. In major cities, English is used, particularly by the upper class, but it is not commonly understood or spoken. Outside urban areas, Spanish is virtually the only medium of communication.
Some of the architectural gems are the many churches that dot the landscape. The detailed interiors of the country's churches are reflective of the Medieval and Renaissance churches in Spain.
Spain imported slaves from Africa for gold and silver mining on the Pacific coast. Spaniards were referred to as Peninsula’s, while their South-American-born descendants were called creoles Instead of resisting Spanish cultural influences, most indigenous groups embraced them. Rather than having a common culture, Colombia is a country with many distinct regional cultures.
With a population of 42.3 million (30 June 2000), Colombia is a nation of mixed race. Columbia is a mixture of Spanish and African music, the latter brought by slaves. The style of dance is designed to recall the shackles worn around the ankles of the slaves. In the 19th century, slavery was abolished and Africans, Indians and other ethnic groups mixed more fully. Styles like bambuco, vallenato and porro were especially influential. When the waltz became popular in the 19th century, a Colombian version called pasillo was invented. International Latin, a type of pop ballad, and salsa music are best-represented by Charlie Zaa and Joe Arroyo, respectively. Shakira Music and dancing are very popular in Colombia, with dozens of popular vibrant styles.
Every Culture: Columbia: This is a great website to find information about World Cultures.
Columbian Literature
Colombia did not begin to develop a literary tradition until the arrival of the Spanish, and its literature still shows a strong European influence. After independence, writers began to develop their own styles, and wrote about national themes instead of European ones.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez: novelist
"A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" (short story)
"13 Phrases for Living" (poem)
National poet: Eustasio Rivera
José Eustacio Rivera, a Colombian lawyer and poet addresd the values of rural peasants and their struggle for existence.
Shakira music video: She Wolf
Click here for more information about Columbian Artists and Writers
A unique culture of Spanish culture and other mixed cultures. Columbia is bordered by the Pacific Ocean were their traditions are diverse, with a broad group that have unique customs, accents, social patterns, and cultural adaptations. These groups are classified into three cultures: those in the interior, the countryside, and the coastal regions.
Modern Colombian music is a mixture of African, native Indigenous and European (Spanish) influences, as well as more modern American and Caribbean musical forms, such as Trinidadian, Cuban, and Jamaican.
The official language is Spanish, which was imposed during the colonial period. All Colombians speak it except some of the indigenous populations in the Amazonian basin. In major cities, English is used, particularly by the upper class, but it is not commonly understood or spoken. Outside urban areas, Spanish is virtually the only medium of communication.
Some of the architectural gems are the many churches that dot the landscape. The detailed interiors of the country's churches are reflective of the Medieval and Renaissance churches in Spain.
With a population of 42.3 million (30 June 2000), Colombia is a nation of mixed race. Columbia is a mixture of Spanish and African music, the latter brought by slaves. The style of dance is designed to recall the shackles worn around the ankles of the slaves. In the 19th century, slavery was abolished and Africans, Indians and other ethnic groups mixed more fully. Styles like bambuco, vallenato and porro were especially influential. When the waltz became popular in the 19th century, a Colombian version called pasillo was invented. International Latin, a type of pop ballad, and salsa music are best-represented by Charlie Zaa and Joe Arroyo, respectively. Shakira Music and dancing are very popular in Colombia, with dozens of popular vibrant styles.
Every Culture: Columbia: This is a great website to find information about World Cultures.
Columbian Literature
Colombia did not begin to develop a literary tradition until the arrival of the Spanish, and its literature still shows a strong European influence. After independence, writers began to develop their own styles, and wrote about national themes instead of European ones.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez: novelist
"A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" (short story)
"13 Phrases for Living" (poem)
National poet: Eustasio Rivera
José Eustacio Rivera, a Colombian lawyer and poet addresd the values of rural peasants and their struggle for existence.
AtropelladosDancer, performer, songwriter: Shakira
Atropellados, por la pampa suelta,
los raudos potros, en febril disputa,
hacen silbar sobre la sorda ruta
los huracanes en su crin revuelta.
Atrás dejando la llanura envuelta
en polvo, alargan la cerviz enjuta,
y a su carrera retumbante y bruta,
cimbran los pindos y la palma esbelta.
Ya cuando cruzan el austral peñasco,
vibra un relincho por las altas rocas;
entonces paran el triunfante casco,
resoplan, roncos, ante el sol violento,
y alzando en grupo las cabezas locas
oyen llegar el retrasado viento.
Shakira music video: She Wolf
Click here for more information about Columbian Artists and Writers
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