TEXT ME! (305) 763-7021
TEXT ME! (305) 763-7021
I was born and raised in Barranquilla-Colombia, home of one of the world’s largest carnivals on the planet: El Carnaval de Barranquilla. We celebrate officially for four days every February, and the city shuts down to host different events. Also, we have the pre-carnivals during January… in fact, we celebrate (I mean… prepare) during the whole year. We have been commemorating our carnival since the XIX century! In 2003, UNESCO declared the Barranquilla Carnival a Masterpiece of Humanity’s Intangible and Oral Heritage, and the carnival was proclaimed a Cultural Masterpiece by the Colombian government. Parades, dances, parties, music, food, and more fun stuff fill the streets of Barranquilla where more than 60 thousand people dance to the rhythm of porro, mapalé, cumbia, champeta, and other traditional and modern beats. The spirit of the carnival also lies in the satire of contemporary political or showbiz figures being mocked through costumes, songs, or lyrics that leads to a theatrical atmosphere.
The carnival starts on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday with La Batalla de Flores (The Battle of the Flowers).
This year, I joined a comparsa (performing group) called ‘La Puntica No Ma’ (‘Just the Tip’) as a photographer.
La Puntica No Ma' (that translates as "just the tip") celebrates free and individual artistic expression. Over 400 people dresses up and dance in this explosive collective of amazing characters. This original comparsa made up of extremely creative artists explores through unique performances and remarkable visual expressions different aspects of humanity such as joy, extasis, and sex, among other intrinsic feelings.
EL TORITO is one of the most traditional dances. This frenetic African dance that vibrates to the sound of drums was founded in 1878. The costume is a bright-colored satin jumpsuit with a mask of a bull’s head colorful painted with bells and ribbons dangling from the horns.
On Sunday I went to La Gran Parada de Tradición. This parade also features folkloric comparsas, costumes, and musicians. I had the opportunity to shoot the queen that day. I will upload a picture of the queen later, I promisse.
Los Morisqueteros and are part of La Danza del Negro or El Son de Negro (The Dance of the Black). It represents with acrobatics and contortionist movements of the face and body the mockery of the slaves behind their masters' backs in colonial times.