What is typical from Colombia?
Colombia is a tremendously rich and varied nation, so when someone somewhere in the world asks us about the things that are typical of our country, the list can get quite long. However, with this little project, I tried to illustrate what most Colombians would identify as an irrefutable part of their identity.
This list is not sorted in any particular order, and obviously it will have many omissions, because as I said before… the list is long when you think about it!
The Mochila
Mochilas are items of clothing of the Arhuaco and Wayuu ethnic groups, which since around the 1960s have become popular in cities with the young population as a way of vindicating the indigenous cultures of our country.
The Arhuaco mochilas are woven by the gwati (women of the ethnic group) since the time they are girls, with sheep’s wool, cotton, fique (a traditional natural fibre) or industrial wool. They generally carry drawings or graphic patterns that represent the vision, beliefs, animals, and everyday objects of these ethnic groups.
They are one of the most important handicrafts in our country, to the point that in 2013, “Mochilas Arhuacas” (as they are known in Spanish) officially became a registered trademark and the process began for the product to enjoy a designation of origin.
Vallenato Music
Vallenato is an autochthonous musical genre from the Caribbean region of Colombia, and its key instruments are a perfect example of how the different cultures of our country have mixed. The accordion, is a notable influence of European immigration, which was introduced by the Germans to La Guajira at the end of the 19th century; the caja vallenata (a percussion box) reflects the Afro-Colombian component; and finally the indigenous influence is evident with the guacharaca.
Today, its popularity has spread to all regions of Colombia, and to neighbouring Latin American countries.
The Chiva
Chivas are colourful transport buses, modified in an artisanal way for rural use, initially used in the Antioquia region, but quickly adopted in many other parts of Colombia. They are characterized by their bright colours and decoration, and by the grill on the roof which is usually used to transport boxes, animals, and other merchandise.
Little by little, the chivas have gone from being a traditional public transport to a tourist attraction and every day more chivas are adapted as tourist buses.
The Ruana
The ruana is a type of sleeveless poncho originally from the Andes. Normally made of wool, they are worn over other garments and are mainly used by peasants to withstand the typical cold of the high mountains of Colombia.
Although its characteristic use is primarily found in the country side, in recent decades this garment has once again taken on an important character as a national symbol, adopted within all strata of the country.
Patacones
The patacones are pieces of fried flattened green plantain, and the most typical example of the use of this plant in Colombian cuisine.
They can be found in dishes throughout our geography, as an accompaniment to fish, rice, meat, and many other foods. They are usually eaten simply sprinkled with a bit of salt, but they can be used as the base to put a good portion of hogao, cheese, suero, guacamole or some other type of sauce.
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Chocoramo
Anyone who says they never had a Chocoramo in their lunch box is simply not Colombian. The Chocoramo, flagship product of the Ramo food company, is a square slice of cake covered in chocolate, which since 1972 has been the favourite snack of children and adults alike.
It is one of the most iconic products in the country with a very high brand recognition, so much so that its packaging has changed very little since its introduction to the market. His recipe, created by the already legendary pastry chef Olimpo Lopez, is kept in a high-security bank safe in the United States.
Inline skating
In sporting terms, Colombia is the undisputed world power of inline skating. Since the beginning of the century, the dominance of skaters from our country in the world championships of this discipline has been absolute, winning the tournament in 17 of the 20 editions since 2000 (and being twice second and once third in the remaining 3 competitions).
As of July 2019, Colombia has a total of 365 gold medals in the World Cups, being the first country in the historical medal table, followed far behind by the United States with 97 gold medals and South Korea with 80.
Arepas
The arepa is one of the most typical foods of our country, which has been consumed since before the arrival of the Europeans. It is made from ground dry corn dough or precooked corn flour, circular and flattened, and serves as an accompaniment to countless dishes from all local cuisines.
The preparation of the arepa by these aboriginal peoples of Colombia and Venezuela was a natural result of the production of corn. Corn was an important element in the diet of the indigenous people, and their mythologies make references to corn or the cob and describe these as an “offering that the gods made to men”.
The native nations
The Wayuu, the Kuna, Arhuacos, Emberá, and all the many other native peoples of Colombia, represent the rich cultural and historical tradition of these lands before the arrival of the Spanish.
Its traditions, gastronomy, and artefacts have been mixed and influenced as an integral part of what we now call “Colombian culture”.
The variety of fruits
Due to its geographical location and topography, Colombia basically enjoys all kinds of climates and very fertile soils. This translates into an immense variety of fruits of different colours, aromas, shapes and flavours grown in different regions, which can be purchased in almost the entire country throughout the year.
A paradise for everyone who wants to enjoy soursops, passion fruit, guavas, lulos, papayas, curubas, mangoes, granadillas, cape gooseberries, feijoas, tamarind, borojo, pitayas, blackberries, pineapples…
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Tejo
Tejo (or turmequé) is the quintessential Colombian native sport, which has been practiced by the inhabitants of the Andean highlands for more than 500 years, and since 2000 it has been declared the national sport of Colombia.
The game consists of throwing a tejo (a metal disk of approximately 680 grams) at a clay box 20 meters away, with the aim of burying it inside the bocín (a metallic ring buried in the center of the clay), bursting a fuse (4 triangles of paper filled with gunpowder positioned on the edge of the horn) or if that fails, getting it closer to the metal ring than the other competitors.
Gabo
Gabriel García Márquez is one of the most illustrious sons of our land, as the foremost example of the literary genre known as Magical Realism, where the fantastic and the real are combined in worlds richly composed of imagination (with the imaginary town of Macondo its best example).
Born in Aracataca, the winner of the 1982 Nobel Prize for Literature is famous for novels and classic stories of world literature such as “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, “Love in the Time of Cholera”, “Twelve Pilgrim Tales” and “Of Love and other demons”.
Flowers
Our varied geography and tropical climates are the perfect environment for hundreds of varieties of colourful flowers. Due to this, in addition to being the second largest exporter of flowers in the world, with a sophisticated industry of more than 40 years of tradition, flowers have become a central theme of Colombian culture.
The Flower Fair, for example, is the most representative event in Medellin, attracting thousands of visitors each year to take part in the festivities and witness iconic activities such as the Silleteros Parade, where more than 500 flower growers from the region of Antioquia parade showing their “silletas”, sculptures made of flowers and traditionally carried by parading flower farmers on their backs.
The Vueltiao Hat
The vueltiao hat is one of the most representative garments of our country, having its origin in the pre-Hispanic Zenú cultures of the Caribbean region.
Made of natural fibres from caña flecha (a type of local palm) and decorated with geometric patterns in cream-white and black, the hat has been officially cataloged by the Congress of the Republic as a Cultural Symbol of the Nation since 2004.
Aguardiente
The national alcoholic drink par excellence, the aguardiente (or Guaro in the local jargon) is the most traditional drink in our country and something that will never be lacking in a Colombian party.
It is a distillate of around 30% alcohol, produced in different regions of the country based on sugar cane, and flavoured with anise. It is traditionally served in small glasses as shots, without mixing, and is usually swallowed in a single gulp.
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The "Escarabajos"
Our world-class cyclists, popularly and affectionately known as “Escarabajos” (Spanish for Beetles), make our country a true power in this sporting discipline, and are some of the few non-European athletes with sufficient quality to fight for top positions at the most prestigious races in the world.
Since the 1980s, when the first Colombian cyclists began to participate in the great European races, the “beetles” have become known for their excellent conditions for mountain stages.
The greatest successes have come on the pedals of Lucho Herrera (Vuelta a España champion), Nairo Quintana (Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España champion) and our most recent hero, Egan Bernal (first Latin American champion of the Tour de France in 2019 and Giro d’Italia winner in 2021).
Chicharrón
In Colombia, fried pork skin is known as chicharrón, and along with so many other delicacies of the national fritanga (a mix of fried and barbecued meats), they are part of our most traditional gastronomy.
On the Caribbean Coast it is eaten accompanied by yucca buns, cooked yucca or as a stuffing for arepas. In the Cordoba region it is also a key ingredient of sancocho, a traditional stewed soup. It is also part of the Bandeja Paisa, a typical dish from the Antioquia region.
The palenqueras
Palenqueras are Afro-Colombian women, originally from the town of San Basilio de Palenque, who walk the streets of Cartagena selling fruit and other delicacies to passers-by.
With their colourful dresses and friendly smiles, they have become a symbol of the city, and a constant reminder of the great cultural contribution that the African heritage has had in our country.
Emeralds
Emeralds are highly valued green gemstones. Its value as a gem depends critically on its degree of transparency, and in any average year, Colombia is responsible for between 50% and 95% of the world’s production.
Special mention deserves the trapiche type emerald, which is found in some Colombian mines, due to its strange star shape due to the growth of the crystal in various directions. Its name comes from the toothed cylinder used in mills to extract sugar from the cane.
“El Pibe” Valderrama
Carlos Valderrama, affectionately nicknamed “El Pibe”, is the most recognizable player of a generation that in the 1980s and 1990s put Colombia on the world football map.
With his curly blond hair, his technical ability, his fine passes and his leadership, he was the leader of the Colombian National Team that made us vibrate in 3 consecutive World Cups (Italy 90, USA 94 and France 98) and 5 Copa Americas.
He was named South American Player of the Year twice (1987 and 1993) and is the only Colombian among the 100 best players of the 20th century, selected by the British magazine World Soccer.
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The Marimonda
The marimonda is an iconic character of the Barranquilla Carnival, and is typically used as a costume. According to the native people of Barranquilla, she represents the spirit of a party man from Barranquilla, dressed in a colourful and extravagant costume.
The character is visually a mix of an elephant and a primate, with a tie, large long nose, large ears, and large mouth. The mask of the costume is accompanied by a rubber whistle called “pea pea”, which emits an intemperate sound that serves to express joy.
Coffee
The best coffee in the world according to many connoisseurs. The coffee bean began to be cultivated commercially in Colombia as early as 1835, and we are currently the third largest producer of coffee and the largest producer of mild coffee in the world.
Coffee is preferably grown on land between 1,300 and 2,000 meters above sea level and its plantations currently occupy more than one million hectares with an annual production of some twelve million bags, being the commercial engine of many regions of the country.
Since 2007, Colombian coffee has a protected designation of origin recognized by the European Union.
Maracas
Maracas are instruments of pre-Hispanic origin made up of a hollow spherical part supported by a handle that goes through it, and filled inside with small percussive elements, such as small stones or seeds, which produce sound when struck against the inner wall of the maracas. the sphere.
In Colombia, they are used in various musical rhythms typical of the Caribbean region and the eastern plains, such as cumbia, vidita, joropo and cachamba, among others.
The Hammock
Hammocks are standard elements throughout the Caribbean region, and consist of a canvas or net made up of twine or fine rope that is attached to two firm points. They are traditionally very colourful and you can find them in a wide variety of designs and sizes.
They are the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon, or to take a nap, and they hold such an important place in the hearts of the people of the Caribbean that even in the most humble homes there are hooks on the walls to hang them.
Fútbol
There is no easier excuse to unite a group of Colombians than to cheer for the Colombian National Team when it plays in a World Cup or a Copa America.
Football (fútbol) is the king of sports in Colombia, and nothing raises more passion in our country, whether it’s local clubs such as Atlético Nacional (winner of 2 Copa Libertadores), America or Millonarios, or of course the National Team that has participated in 6 World Cups and won the Copa America in 2001.
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