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Colombians are unique; once we’ve said ‘Hi’—or the familiar “Quiubo” pronounced as “key-u-bo"—you’ll find yourself wondering if we’ve met before, because our great enthusiasm will make you feel like a close friend saying “welcome home”. Discover a few mo
Our clever sense of humor always breaks the ice. As soon as we’re introduced, we’ll be laughing, dropping jokes, and telling stories in no time—we’re known for recounting some of the most amazing sagas you’ve ever heard. We consider ourselves happy people and we love sharing moments in a uniquely Colombian way. For instance, explaining all of the nicknames and different expressions we have for the same thing, and finding unique ways to share our Colombian culture everywhere we go. Even if you make a mistake or feel embarrassed, we can find a way to turn it into a hilarious moment, laughing together along the way.
It’s no coincidence that in Colombia, we have a special expression for friendship that has become well-known around the world: ‘Parcero’ pronounced as “par-cero”. This Colombian Spanish street slang means ‘brother’ or ‘buddy’, and is mostly used by Colombians from Medellin. This expression is special, not only for it’s meaning, but also in the way it embodies Colombian culture. If there’s one thing you must know about us, it’s that we love lending a hand when someone needs it the most.
We like to go above and beyond for our guests, taking every detail into consideration and sharing our kindness with great enthusiasm. Our main goal is making sure you always feel comfortable, always at home. We’re always happiest when we’re sharing a cup of Colombian coffee with you, teaching you the rhythm of Colombian music, and cooking our favorite Colombian cuisine for you to try.
Colombian Spanish reflects the way Colombian people are as well. We have a very particular way of expressing ourselves in every situation, using popular sayings that will make sense to you after reading this article. There are a few examples there, but the list is virtually endless, and we as Colombians love sharing our rich vocabulary with others. Have you ever been part of a “recocha”? Experienced something “bacano” or got feeling “enguayabado”? Would you like to learn more about Colombian Spanish before you visit Colombia? Check out these 20 words that only make sense in Colombia.
If you really want to learn how to dance, keep in mind that Colombians know all the moves. Dancing goes hand in hand with Colombia’s cultural heritage, and its diversity is expressed by more than 1,000 rhythms that make Colombian music a unique treasure. You’ll be surprised by Colombia’s most-beloved dance styles, but you should never shy away from learning how to dance salsa, champeta, vallenato or reggaeton. Discover the top 10 places to learn to dance in Colombia. After learning these 5 reasons, you’ll feel Colombian culture through the warmth of its people. Allow us to introduce you the most welcoming country in the world. Related articles: Discover these 5 places to inmerse yourself in Colombian culture Why is Colombia the best country to travel? Your top 10 travel and tourism questions answered Colombia: one of the best places to live when you retire
Did you know that Colombia is the only country in South America that has two coastlines, one in the Pacific and one in the Caribbean ocean?
There are probably plenty of things you’ve always wanted to know about our country, so we decided to gather the most popular questions into a fun trivia game. Let’s see how much you know about the most welcoming country on Earth!
Before you travel, it’s always a good idea to learn some general information about the destination to help you prepare for a new adventure. You’ve probably heard a lot about Colombia, but how much do you really know about it?
Before you start, be aware that there is no right or wrong answer, this is a trivia to discover how much you actually know about Colombia!
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Mixology is so much more than gin cocktails or vodka cocktails. Besides having liquor, the experience of having cocktails has transcended. Colombia takes the lead on this elevated art by creating popular cocktails with different products, given the appro
Recently, the term mixology has been rescued from the late nineteenth century to revitalize your usual cocktail experience. Although it still centers around the art of crafting cocktails, mixology has a deeper interest in achieving the perfect balance of the different ingredients that comprise the best mixed drinks.
To make the perfect cocktail, mixology uses the most modern techniques of haute cuisine to create new versions of familiar distilled beverages, jams or purees with different fruits and spices. A few examples include Basil aguardiente, chili liquor, rose petal jelly, and even guava juice among others.
Every aroma, texture, and flavor of these cocktails has the same level of importance because in mixology balance is everything. From the presentation- including the glass used- to the garnish served for the decoration and the scent, everything is taken into account during the artistic process of creating new and popular cocktails.
In Colombia, mixology is so much more than that. Thanks to the location of the country and all the biodiversity that surrounds every region, the territory grows some of the most exotic and tasteful fruits in the world. It is what gives each drink the spicy or bittersweet personality to the cocktails and the smoked or lavender aroma that comes from within.
An immersive experience from sight to palate, we invite you to discover the cocktails that embody the mysticism of our country and evoke #TheBestOfColombia
City: Bogotá
Neighborhood: Usaquén
Recipe from: Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar Cl. 117 #6a-05
The Colombian version of the traditional Tiki Cocktail, Mai Tai, but with our very own special twist. A burst of flavors so refreshing it won’t be easy to forget. We predict this drink is on the line to be one of the most popular cocktails in the country.
Besides the main ingredients below, this recipe also includes cashew milk, two types of rum (one dry and the other made of panela), Cointreau or orange liqueur and lemon juice.
Hover over the card and discover the ingredients of each cocktail!
Click on the video below to learn the Lulada Mai Tai recipe.
City: Bogotá
Neighborhood: Quinta Camacho
Recipe from: Huerta Bar Cl. 69 a #10-15
The perfect combination of stimulating and sweet, this cocktail is inspired in one of the most common juices of the generation that followed the Baby Boomers (generation X) and their family memories: sharing a guava juice for lunch.
Aside from its main ingredient, it also has Aperol, lemon juice, Beefeater gin, and sugarcane molasses.
City: Bogotá
Neighborhood: Quinta Camacho
Recipe from: Llorente Cra. 9 #69-7
With just one sip of this spicy and sweet cocktail, you will feel incredibly invigorated. Be ready to experience how your palate is awakened with the freshness of citrus and real tomato-fruit that embodies this spirited beverage.
In addition to the two main ingredients presented below, it is prepared with a local agricultural rum, gin, honey and a spicy salt blend on the rim.
City: Medellín
Neighborhood: Provenza
Recipe from: Carbonero Cra 35 #8a-40
A drink so Colombian 90% of its ingredients are from this country, even the ginger beer that is mixed with. The cocktail recreates the perfect balance between herbs and fruits with the smoked kick of Viche, one of the many wonders that come from green sugar cane.
In addition to the ingredients mentioned and the ones presented below, it also has Kettel One Vodka and white beer.
City: Cali
Neighborhood: Bulevar del Río
Recipe from: El Balcón Cra. 3 #6-19
This cocktail is inspired by one of the most exotic regions of the world: The Amazon.
A tribute to this land and the indigenous tribes that inhabit it. A beverage that balances sweet and citrus with an unexpected feeling on the tongue.
Along with the ingredients presented beneath, it is also made with pisco (a grape aguardiente from Perú or Chile) and a blend from citrus oils.
City: Cartagena
Neighborhood: Historic Center of Cartagena
Recipe from: Alquímico Calle del Colegio #34-24
Inspired by one of the most chilled and refreshing street beverages called guanabanazo. The idea is to evoke and impulse this feeling to its fullest with the guanábana, additioning coconut cream, tangerines, London dry gin, and white rum with a peppermint finish.
We hope you dare to taste some of the most special, refreshing, and original cocktails in the country that only use #TheBestOfColombia
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There are few places on Earth that instantly make people fall in love. Discover the best places to visit in Colombia and you’ll find yourself wondering if you should ever leave. We await you soon with open arms!
Colombia is known for making people fall in love, in its great landscapes, delicious food, welcoming people, and wide variety of fauna and flora. Discover the five best places to visit in Colombia that will make you leave all behind.
In the Amazon rainforest, between the regions of Guaviare and Caquetá, lies Chiribiquete. We’re referring to the National Serranía de Chiribiquete National Park. This immense natural reserve was declared a UNESCO world heritage site, classifying it as one with “outstanding universal value” due to its vast environmental and cultural assets. Upon arriving, you’ll be greeted by huge table-top rock formations, also known as tepuis, arising from the forest like gigantic guardians of the 2,900 species that call this park home. Animals like the Jaguar, Giant Otter, Brown Woolly Monkey, Pumas, Emerald Hummingbirds, and butterflies are just a few. It’s also home to over 70,000 pictographs, or drawings and paintings created on rock, which have been listed as the oldest anthropological evidence of their kind in the Americas. Most of them depict hunting practices, dances, and ceremonies in which indigenous tribes portray their main figure of fertility and power: The jaguar. For this reason, Chiribiquete is also known as “the Maloka of the Jaguar”. If you wish to visit this ancient place, you may charter a 3-hour flyover. There are over 20 tour operators that offer this unforgettable plane-ride experience.
There is a region in Colombia known not only as the home to the Wayuu indigenous community, but also to one of the most captivating landscapes in the country: The Guajira region. A place full of contrast, a vast and wild desert surrounded by the Caribbean sea. From Riohacha to Punta Gallinas, there are wonderful destinations which offer unforgettable experiences for adventure-seekers searching for things to do in Colombia during their visit. One of the most remarkable views you can find in the region is at the Manaure Salt Flats. The salt extraction performed by the Wayuu people turns the land into a breathtaking landscape. This 4,200 acres of desert land is covered with small, white salt mounts over the pink and lilac lakes. Not far from there, you can find Los Flamencos Natural Reserve, a protected area where bands of beautiful pink flamingos and other migratory birds can be observed via boat ride. Keep this in mind for an instagram-worthy moment during your visit. Cabo de la Vela is another treasure In the Guajira region, a place known for having some of the best beaches in Colombia for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Its name translates to “Cape of the Sail” due to its favorable wind conditions and backdrop of glowing, colorful sunsets.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site can be found between the regions of Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca. This landscape serves as a great example of how people can adapt to difficult geographical conditions to merge natural, cultural and economical elements into the cultivation of Colombian coffee. Within this beautiful Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, you can find the Cocora Valley, home to the world’s largest wax palm trees. Walk amongst them, elevated in a majestuous plain lowland filled with exotic creatures like the yellow-eared parrot. This place invites you to one of the best things to do in Colombia, to stay and greets you with a cup of Colombian’s best arabica coffee, a soothing delight to the palate. Along your journey to this stunning place, you will pass through Salento, a small and colorful colonial town near the valley. There, you can hop into a Willys Jeep that will transport you to this home of these spectacular Colombian national trees, also one of the best things to do in Colombia.
Pajarito, Mono, and Mavecure are the names of three huge rock monoliths over the Inírida River in the Guainía region. This breathtaking landscape was featured in Colombia’s first-ever nomination to the Academy Awards with the film “The Embrace of the Serpent”. This locale ranks into the must-see for its stunning beauty and great excursions, including sailing the river to see the fluvial star (where four rivers converge: the Orinoco, the Atabapo, the Guaviare, and the Inírida). This natural spectacle involves a combining of the different colors of each river, creating a clearly distinguishable pattern in the water. Amongst the 250,000 acres of protected area, considering the importance of the ecosystem and water supply, you can find welcoming indigenous communities such as The Curripaco. They have developed an ethnographic tourism plan where visitors can learn about the different customs and traditions of their culture. A particularly fun aspect involves sampling their cuisine and appreciating their handcrafted decorative objects. This provides an undoubtedly unique reason to visit Colombia.
Mompox is a must. Its historical center is also a world treasure on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Founded in 1540, Santa Cruz de Mompox is a town that held a key role during the colonial period as it was founded parallel to the Magdalena River. Therefore, it served as an important port to trade goods such as gold and tobacco and send them upriver to the interior. Strategically located far from the Caribbean sea, it was considered to be safe from pirate attacks and, as a result, the best site to keep the gold safe. This treasure brought about the art of filigree, which consists of making jewelry pieces by weaving fine threads of gold and silver into beautiful figures. The city has preserved its Spanish colonial architecture, like a postcard from history that mirrors the same monumental Sevillian architecture. This is particularly true for the houses built on “Calle de la Albarrada” which have facades that share a common roof and feature decorative interiors, portals, and galleries. If you find yourself wondering: What is happening in Colombia? or Is Colombia safe to travel? Consider that you can find some of the best places to visit in the world, including nine UNESCO World Heritage sites alongside a wonderful culture of embarking on wonderful adventures.
Here are seven Colombian top fashion designers that are turning heads and making history one stitch at a time.
Distinctive silhouettes, ruffled skirts, chic prints and off-shoulder necklines. These have all come to define the art that this fashion designer creates, representative of her salsa roots. She grew up in Cali, the salsa capital of the world, and she designs for herself rather than for an idealistic concept of a woman. Her trendy clothes for women reflect joyfulness, ease, femininity and strength. She thrives on authenticity, paying close attention to the fabric and always trying on her creations.
This Colombian fashion designer is taking the world by storm, bringing a fresh perspective to swimwear fashion and elevating it to new heights. Like much art, the beauty of her trendy clothes for women lies in the details. She showcases a wide-ranging talent for styles, from feminine ruffles to single sleeves and twisting necklines. Her solid hues and clean lines provide a feast for the eyes, and each of her pieces is handmade by local artisans in her hometown of Cartagena from eco-friendly materials.
This half-Colombian, half-French fashion designer honed her skills at Hermes in Paris before returning to her home country of Colombia to launch her brand, Atelier Crump. Her styles burst at the seams with vivid prints and synonymously Colombian pops of color. She designs trendy clothes for women of the world who embody sunshine and life, embracing femininity in the figures and personalities of all who wear it.
Widely considered one of the most famous fashion designers in Colombia, María Luisa Ortiz graduated as an haute couture designer from “Écoles de la Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne. She honed her skills with iconic trendy brands, working for the Christian Dior and Christian Lacroix haute couture workshops before opening her own boutique. Since then, her garments have been featured in some of the most respected national and international fashion magazines.
This one of the Colombian famous fashion designers, is world-renown for her eccentric styling and romantic twists. After working as a fashion designer for Missoni, she launched her own brand and has since moved on to win awards for Best Colombian Designer three years in a row. She now works between New York, Madrid and Bogota, releasing a new highly-anticipated collection each season. Famous for its asymmetric layers and intricate ruffles, Kika Vargas’ distinctively-cool style puts a luxurious spin on sophisticated eveningwear.
Carlo Carrizosa graduated in 2009 in the Fashion Design program at LCI Bogota and had a very face paced life since then. He’s been featured in some of the top fashion magazines and even participated on the reality show Project Runway Latin America, finishing in the top 3. As far as style goes, Carlo revitalizes Colombia’s ancient history of fabrics, using exclusive textiles handmade from talented artisans and applying a mix of craftmanship, attention to detail and a sense of refined taste to his work.
Pink Filosofy is one of the trendy clothing brands whose feminine and versatile line seeks to fit the contemporary woman. Founded by Colombian duo Johanna Ortiz, one of the top fashion designers, and the model Adriana Arboleda in 2011, their work draws refined silhouettes with draped kimono sleeves, and wraps detailed prints in harmonious hues. Their motto “Timeless fashion for a conscious world” perfectly illustrates the brand values, which prioritize comfort in in every piece that’s made.
Learn about Colombia’s LGBT history of Colombia and our journey of becoming a more inclusive country. Our diversity lies not only in our climates and rhythms, but in embracing the unique qualities that make people stand out for who they really are, and c
June is a month filled with LGBT pride, news, rights, and of course a time to reflect on everything that brought us here. Colombia was the fourth country in South America to support same-sex marriage, one of the 29 in the world currently.
Find out about LGBT history in Colombia and some aspects that make us the most welcoming country in the world for this community.
In 1980, when being homosexual was considered a crime, León Zuleta y Manuel Velandia decided to take some action regarding gay rights. Thus, they were the first leaders of the Colombian homosexual liberation movement and of Colombia’s LGBT history.
As it was an unused law, Manuel Velandia had no problem making it disappear without activism, especially since at that time there were no people incarcerated for this nor were there any public complaints.
In 1981 when the penal code that decriminalized this condition came out, the anti-homosexuality law was repealed. This was the first great moment for the LGBT rights movement in Colombia, but LGBT history in Colombia was just getting started.
Manuel Velandia comments that after decriminalization was announced, several events led to a march on June 28th, a date that is now known worldwide as the LGBT pride celebration.
Back then, only 32 people marched and 100 police officers cleared a path for them. It was the first time that speeches were made in the public square of Las Nieves, highlighting another first in the LGBT community in Colombia.
In the 80’s, only 32 people joined the LGBT pride month parade last year over 70,000 people from the community embraced diversity on the streets.
From 1981 to 1991, the LGBT Community held almost no visibility. When Colombia's political constitution came out in '91, it was made clear in article 13 that all people are born free and equal before the law, and it exposes the development of personality as a free fundamental right, which among its central values is plurality and dignity.
This was a great step because from there, the constitutional court was created, resulting in a great deal of progress for LGBT rights being recognized in the community.
After many years, in 2013 the constitutional court executed a ruling recognizing that homosexual couples constitute a family, and their resulting vulnerability having not been able to obtain that right. Thanks to the courage of five brave couples who made their union public, as well as the involvement of institutions, entities, NGOs, and a large mobilization of activism led by the NGO Colombia Diversa, same-sex marriage has been legal in the country since 2016.
Nevertheless, it is curious that the adoption ruling came before the marriage ruling, initially specifying that gay people can adopt individually. This was accomplished by prioritizing the right of all children to have a family over someone's sexual orientation another milestone for LGBT history in Colombia.
Elizabeth Castillo, one of the most familiar faces of the LGBT rights activism in Colombia, states that “...it is time to recognize that trans women were the face of this fight during the time where other people belonging to the collective could mimic themselves in the crowd.”
She recalls that some of the other rights the LGBT community is entitled to in Colombia include legal protection against discrimination in labor and goods and services, equal access to assisted reproduction techniques, access to the military service and donating blood, among others.
Today, Colombia is a destination that welcomes diversity and is considered gay-friendly. As a result, in 2018 Colombia won the award for the best destination for LGTB tourism in South America in the World Travel Awards.
In the same manner, Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, even has its own LGBT district named “Chapinero” (The gigantic letters that name the place are colored with the LGBT Flag). This district is home to the largest LGBT Club in South America, an unmissable spot whenever you have a chance to stop by the neighborhood.
Even the city’s newest mayor is a glowing example of how Colombia keeps acknowledging members of the LGBT Community. Claudia López is the first openly lesbian major in the country and has a very public life with her partner, Angélica Lozano, who is also a politician and former mayor of the Chapinero district. Both of them are very strong activists that keep pursuing LGBT rights.
These truths and victories continue positioning Colombia as one of the most liberal countries in the world with regards to LGBT history. For this reason, we encourage all members of the LGBT community to come visit us and let us embrace your diversity with our warm culture, people, and destinations.
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Bogota is an exciting city to explore via bicycle. The capital city of Colombia comes in 12th place amongst the 20 most fascinating cycling cities from across the globe. This is according to the latest rankings found in the Copenhagenize Index.
Not only does Colombia have the ideal geographical conditions for an amazing bike route, but well known Colombian cyclists such as Nairo Quintana and Egan Bernal also make the country one of the best world destinations for cycling. Bogota is one of Colombia’s best examples. With more than 540 kilometers of bike lanes and is considered the city with the most open streets to ride a bicycle in Latin America.
Its bicycle infrastructure and feeling of safety, the cycling culture, bike share and urban planning make it the leader of riding bicycle initiatives in South America. Also, it has become world-famous for popularizing the ciclovia. Have you ever heard about this healthy lifestyle activity? We will show you how to enjoy your weekend during your vacation here.
Ciclovia is one of the favorite weekend plans for citizens, and will probably become yours, too, when you arrive. Every Sunday morning and on holidays, over a hundred kilometers of the city streets are closed to cars, and open for riding bicycle, walking or running. From 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., hundreds of people go cycling along the ciclovia open streets.
With a total of 16 bike routes in Bogota, you have many options to enjoy your weekend cycling, and at the same time visit different places of interest. We have already analyzed different routes, to help you plan a special bike route in Bogota, ideally to become part of your next weekend plans in Colombia!
Before you start, it is so important for us to give you some advice: it’s entirely up to you to choose the route to go cycling through the ciclovia and your favorite plans. We suggest you to maintain a slow enough speed so that you may enjoy what the city has to offer.
Also, allow yourself some time to stop at the fascinating places to go on a Sunday. Let’s get started!
It doesn’t matter where your bike route starting point is, wherever you are or wherever you want to go cycling to enjoy your weekend in the capital city is an easy choice when you consider that. Most of the bike routes are interconnected, as you can see.
The question is what your favorite things to do on a Sunday are to help you enjoy your weekend? Maybe a Sunday brunch, visit a park, visit a museum, go shopping or just travel around the city. Whatever it is that you’re into, Bogota is waiting to be discovered by you.
The beginning of this bike route is the Boyaca Avenue. It is located near one of the largest libraries of the city: the Julio Mario Santo Domingo. Then, travel down through 116 street, until 7th Avenue. You will find yourself wondering, “is this a heritage town between the capital city” welcome to Usaquén!
This is “Bogota’s little town”, the first locality of the capital city. Its colonial style architecture will transport you to another period of Colombia’s history. If you want to find things to do on a Sunday to enjoy your weekend in Usaquén, you must visit the “Mercado de las Pulgas” at the main Usaquén open streets.
It is one of the best places to go for shopping handicrafts, eating dessert, and to enjoy the ambience with the performance of bands and street dancers. Additionally, you could enjoy a Sunday brunch, at one of the many restaurants and markets such as the Boho Food Market which offers a variety of cuisines and a space to shop for Colombian designs.
Take your bike again and go cycling down through 7th Avenue, heading south. Arriving to 93 Street you will see a vast hacienda known as the El Chico Museum Park. This amazing 18th-century house displays a collection of historic objects and decorative art, and a picnic-perfect park for any Sunday morning.
After this visit, you have two choices: cycling to Virrey Park or heading down to 93 Park. These are two emblematic places to go and enjoy your weekend in Bogota because of their special restaurants, walking nature areas, and of course bike lanes across the park. El Virrey Park is well known by a food festival called Alimentarte, that takes place in June.
Inevitably, you could take the center path for riding bicycle in the city. If you’re an art-lover, you will enjoy cycling through this corner of Bogota. Add a stop at the National Museum at 28 Street to encounter one of the oldest museums in America.
Afterwards, enjoy your weekend cycling and head towards Park Way in the traditional neighborhood of La Soledad. It’s the ultimate plan for a bicycle day, or just for taking a break before continuing along the bike route. Additionally, it’s the perfect place to find classic bakeries, coffee shops, bars and more.
Get the feeling that the city belongs to you by cycling through the Bogota’s Sunday streets, and celebrate bicycle day with us every Sunday and holidays while you discover #TheBestOfColombia.
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Dance, music, art and culture make Colombia unique. Can you believe that Colombian art history has been evolving for 3,000 years? There is archaeological evidence of the existence of pottery in Colombia earlier than anywhere else in the Americas.
If you love art, discover the reasons to visit Colombia and appreciate gold craftsmanship incredible art treasures.
This piece of craftsmanship art is made with gold-silver-cuper alloy (over 80% of high-grade gold) and alludes to The Legend of ‘El Dorado’ myth. Muisca indigenous people used to hold a ceremony where the new chief (Cacique) bathed in gold, throw casting gold and precious stones such as emeralds collected in his community into the Guatavita lake (located just 75 km and an hour away from Bogota), as an offering to their gods. After this, he immersed himself in the water.
Gold has a different meaning for the pre-Columbian societies. It represents prestige and religious offerings, not material wealth.
The craftsmanship art piece was created by artisans in Pre-columbian cultures and found in a nearby cave. It is the only piece in a clay mold with the lost wax technique. It has a base with a shape of a boat and several figures on the raft. The largest figure that stands out in the middle represents the new chief (Cacique). Its 19,5 cms long, 10,1 cms width and 10,2 cms tall. The art museum that displays this beautiful artwork is the Gold Museum in Bogota.
This craftsmanship art piece has never left the country. This beautiful artwork shows Colombian culture heritage to the world.
This Pre-columbian craftsmanship art piece was used as a container for chewing coca leaves during indigenous religious ceremonies. In doing so, Quimbayas had greater lucidity to tell myths and stories when the community would discuss their history and worldview. It is considered as one of the greatest art piece of wax casting techniques, because is a hollow object (something very difficult to achieve), with a filigree base.
Is an imitation of a pumpkin, because of its shape that is associated with the female body.
The Poporo Quimbaya craftsmanship art piece was found in Antioquia, Colombia, an archaeological remains from the Quimbaya culture and is also attributed to social status. It is a bottle with four rounded features at the top. Its 23,5 cms long, 11,4 cms width and 777,7 grams in weight. It has two pieces: the receptacle, and the lid to carry the lime to the mouth while chewing coca leaves. It is one of the first art pieces acquired by the Central Bank of Colombia, and from which they realized to create an art museum that conserves this type of pieces. The art museum displaying this beautiful artwork is the Gold Museum in Bogota.
By: Colombia’s Central Bank art collection.
The Custody was made between 1700 and 1707 by José de Galaz for the San Ignacio Church of Bogotá. It took seven years to create this craftsmanship art piece, used in catholic ceremonies, well known as ‘lettuce’ because of its green head and the number of emeralds it has (1,485 in total). It was painted with an emerald powder covering the angel that is in the middle, which symbolized God, surrounded by a sun (consisting of 22 golden rays). The custody is divided into three parts: an 8-pointed flamboyant that evokes Mary, the blessed virgin, an emerald heart that remembers the passion and death of Jesus Christ, and the base or support of the whole piece, that evokes the role of the Catholic Church.
With a total of 1,759 gemstones, this craftsmanship art piece of baroque art is made with 9 kilograms of 18-karat gold.
Its 70 cm tall and 8,850 grams in weight. ‘The Lettuce’ is made of cast gold and also contains 168 amethysts, 62 baroque pearls, 28 diamonds, 13 rubies, and one yellow sapphire. The first time this craftsmanship art piece left the country was in 2015 for the exhibition at Spain’s Museo del Prado. Then, in 2017, it went on exhibition at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Now, the art museum displaying this beautiful artwork is Colombia’s Central Bank in Bogota, Colombia.
Have we convinced you to visit Colombia? Come discover it through craftsmanship Colombian culture, art, and more.
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Allow us to introduce you to the unique country of Colombia. A haven of biodiversity, with more than 50,000 species of animals and plants. Beautiful nature, exotic animals and a variety of orchid flowers will convince you that Colombia is one of the most
Species diversity is amazing, isn’t it? Even more so when you’re surrounded by such a variety of animals, some of them endemic species, across the beautiful landscapes of a single country. How could this be possible? Here’s the secret behind this incredible phenomenon in Colombia. Colombia’s location is unique. The country is located in the middle of South America, the Antilles, and part of Central America. These areas, which broadly coincide with the continents, are characterized by a wide distribution of groups of animals and plants due to the varying environmental conditions of each region and the development of the continents over time. Additionally, Colombia is surrounded by three huge mountains which split the country into five natural regions: Andes, Pacific, Caribbean, Amazon, and the Llanos (plains). These regions offer an impressive range of climates and beautiful landscapes at varying altitudes.
Colombia is conveniently located in the equatorial tropics. Because of this, it has a diverse topography with a variety of climates and ecosystems which boost its biodiversity, currently accounting for 10% of Earth’s flora and fauna.
Colombia ranks second amongst the 12 most biodiverse countries in the world. According to the 2019 Biodiversity Information System in Colombia, there are 51,330 species registered in the country, with more than 1,920 bird species, 528 types of mammals, and 1,521 species of fish. Colombia also has the third-highest number of endemic species after Brazil and Indonesia. According to the Humboldt Institute, 14% of all species living in Colombia are endemic species. This means that these species can only be found here. The regions with the greatest concentration of this biodiversity are the Amazon, the Andes, the inter-Andean valleys, and the Chocó region. Let’s dive deeper into Colombia’s species biodiversity.
Flora in Colombia is also diverse and welcoming. This country has moorlands, jungles, savannahs, forests, wetlands, and even plains. Most of them are national natural parks, where you can find fruit trees and other flora biodiversity such as orchid flowers, palms, magnolias, and more.
With a biodiversity of over 250 types of palms, Colombia places first in the world for this categorical variety. It’s so important that its national tree is the wax palm, native to Colombian forests, which can reach 70 meters in height.
Colombia signed a Biological Diversity Agreement and a National Biodiversity Policy in 1994, a commitment to the conservation of its species richness. After this decision, the country consolidated the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP) with 1,116 protected areas, representing 15% of the national territory today. Since 2016, the country has made more than 16 scientific bio expeditions by The Colombian Bio National Programme, with support from universities and other institutions. Most of them have been made in post- conflict areas. This has led to the discovery of more than 150 new species which fall under the group of animals and group of plants categories. Also, as a contribution to biodiversity conservation and Colombia’s sustainable economic growth, the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) created the GROW-Colombia project in partnership with the Earlham Institute, the University of Sydney and more than 30 Colombian institutions such as Sinchi Institute, Humboldt Institute, Colciencias and the Amazon University. This project aims to reduce zero net deforestation by 2020, employing approximately 30% of people in rural regions and promoting local biodiversity. This project seeks to preserve, restore and manage Colombian biodiversity through responsible innovation. One of the programs consists of working with ex-Colombian FARC members, training them with fundamental skills and knowledge to understand and protect biodiversity as well as to identify nature’s potential to generate sustainable productive projects. Come explore Colombia’s biodiversity. Appreciate the biodiversity that surrounds you here, soak in the beautiful nature in all of its colors, shapes, and sounds. Without a doubt, Colombia is a country with many wonderful things to discover. In fact, Disney made a movie inspired in Colombia: Encanto. A beautiful show of Colombia's traditions and characteristics that make this country so unique. Click here to know more. Related articles: Why should a Nature-Lover come to Colombia? Six incredible Colombian animals you have to see in the wild Colombia’s Famously Fearsome Animals
A handcrafted basket made out of recyclable material that is used in Colombian marketplaces is currently exported to other countries around the world such as Spain, United States, and Japan.
We are talking about the traditional handcrafted zuncho basket, one of the Colombian crafts woven with a type of plastic that is commonly used for packaging purposes. Learn more about the handcrafted zuncho baskets made in Colombia and adopt it as an eco-friendly alternative that replaces plastic bags when you go shopping!
Unlike other Colombian crafts, this handcrafted basket is not woven with natural fibers. However, the technique is similar to the one used to create wicker and fique baskets. What make these baskets so unique? First, their designs are native creations of Colombian artisans, they recycle the zuncho and mix different colors to create a handcrafted basket that resists heavyweight and hardly deteriorates despite the rain. To begin with the history of this handcrafted basket, it is a result of a social movement and cultural transformation. Thanks to a craftsman who arrived in Bogota one day with his teachings around ancestral techniques and creative abilities, the handcrafted zuncho basket exists today. For example, in this industrial material, he found a similarity in the primary materials used in his region. Until transforming it into a product for urban use.
ThisColombian crafts has a place of origin: the marketplace, where it is sold and used as a shopping bag for fruits and vegetables. It is also common to see it in the streets, as it is used to carry a thermos with black coffee, also known in Colombia as ‘tinto’, and tea.
Handcrafted zuncho baskets, how are they made? For the elaboration of these Colombian crafts, the artisans recycle different colored zuncho strips, which have become industrial process waste. The weaving handcrafted process consists of weaving the tape from a vertical structure (as the image shows). However, the handcrafted process could change depending on the product. Wooden molds wrapped in the material are used for the design of bags and individual kitchen supplies which are interwoven, without using tape, because the way they intertwine the material supports the structure.
The technique used to weave the zuncho comes from different rural, indigenous, and Afro Colombian communities and consists of flat fabric with a warp and a weft that draw symbols representing the Colombian culture, mixing creativity and artisanal knowledge. Also, the base figure of these handcrafted is the rhombus. From this figure, they create more such as hearts, diagonal lines, squares, and others. Symbology is usually not rooted in a culture, but rather in the creative capacity of the artisans. In that matter, the zuncho being a versatile material generates different types of designs and proposes modifications to the basic technique through superficial embroideries that create innovative effects.
The Colombian culture is preserved, embodied, and transmitted, which is the purpose of the creative laboratory aMano. The laboratory seeks to tell the stories behind Colombian crafts and connect the abilities and knowledge of the artisans regarding the market this is done through handcrafted training and creative development processes. In the same way, it is a place where artisanal traditions and Colombian culture are kept alive and the creativity and transformation of Colombian artisans are valued. According to Emilia Atuesta, designer and founder of aMano, under the teaching of artisans from the Huila department and the city of Bogota, people can learn to make handcrafted zuncho crafts baskets with an exceptional purpose: honor the handcrafted art.
Although we live in an industrialized world, there is a latent need to return to the origin, to buy objects with traceability, to have a conscience and remember the stories that allow us to generate more lasting and less superficial relationships with our objects," said Emilia.
This Colombian crafts also became a contemporary craft design. From basket to wallets, the craft captivates attention in countries such as Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States and Japan. This is the international market participation of Zuncco Accessories, a Colombian crafts brand that turned this plastic material into something more exclusive for women.
This brand specializes in products for the dinner table and kitchen. Additionally, it pays tribute to the Colombian culture and supports the country’s artisans through the marketing of handbags handcrafted with zuncho, replacing the plastic bags. Whether you want to use it as a market basket or a bag, these Colombian crafts are a sample of the country's identity that has been forgotten for many years. Learn about more handcrafted objects and traditions that list #TheBestOfColombia. Related articles: