Download Essay 1. Through Colombian Eyes

Liliana C. Melo
Professor Janet Storti
English 101.5767
Paper No. 1, Draft No. 1
September 26, 2006
Through Colombian Eyes
Talking about Colombia, most people think of cocaine, kidnappings and guerrilla violence. These
images have served to keep the tourists away for decades and not to know the true Colombia. However,
the images of Colombia are very different from these: white-sand beaches, colonial cities, jungle-clad
mountains, and placid coffee farms. According to the book Culture and Customs of Colombia, written by
Williams Leslie and Kevin Guerrieri, Colombia is one of the most diverse, regionalist, and tradition-bound
nations in Latin America. Also, Culture and Customs of Colombia offers a detailed examination of those
features of national life that make Colombia unique and unforgiving (2). In order to keep these images,
Colombians hold close their cultural past through the stories and tales that have passed from their
ancestors. In fact, Colombians have learned in the course of their lives the importance to keep their roots
and identity not only to be represented in the world, but also to contribute to the continuation of the
Colombian culture. For example, most Colombians keep the formalities of Catholicism in daily and civic life,
as well as the significance of traditional foods and clothing style (Leslie and Guerrieri 26), increasing its
dynamic cultural and unique identity through epochs like Pre-Columbus, Colonialism, and at the present
time.
According to DANE (Administrative Department of National Statistics), Colombia is the fourth
largest country in South America and its population is estimated over 41 million people (results of census –
2005). Some of Colombians are descendants of the European, mostly Spanish, colonizers who first arrived
in the country in the 16th century, while others are of Amerindian or Black origin, the majority of the
population, however, are of mixed blood as a result of intermarriage among these three groups, changing
its original ethnicity –indigene- (Pearce 14). In fact, Colombian population has its roots in indigenous blood
that is the primary source of Colombian identity that has been inherited from Pre-Columbus epoch. In other
words, Indigenous cultural authenticity is tied to the issues of personal identity of Colombians;
nevertheless, some of Colombians feel shame to remember or accept their origin. So, they behave badly
against indigenous people. For this reason, we can see some Colombian indigenes that have changed their
customs and traditions because of these rejections and open new paths to survive in community and
Colombia. For example, they no longer wear their national costumes except for ceremonial occasions, their
especial organizations of communities have changed, and languages have been lost in favor of Spanish
that were brought by the conquerors. However, indigenous identity is kept strong and during the last
decades it has grown even stronger as an ethno-political consciousness is spreading in growing circles
through Colombia.
The book Colombia: Inside the Labyrinth, written by Jenny Pearce, affirms most of Colombia
legacy is from colonial epoch “Colonial society was hierarchical and stratified” (15). This means that most
characteristics of interior highland culture are a dominant Spanish heritage, a sophisticated literary culture,
and a light presence of oral culture in literature. In fact, Colombia has regional customs that are customarily
rural and traditional, in which Colombians have idealized and tend to view with homesickness, and methods
of living their social life (Leslie and Guerrieri 25). For example, Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, was
recently renamed “Santa Fe de Bogotá” to remain its colonial past. In addition, Colombia is populated by
hand-working peasants who follow their costumes, dance traditional folkloric dances, and take pleasure in
their traditional foods and festivities. For example, traditional dances have roots in the colonial epoch, and
most reflect a synthesis of sixteenth-century Spanish dance with African and indigenous elements like
“bambuco”, “guabina” or “mapales”. As a result, new urban customs and traditions are arising for the first
time and relate to the new rapid-paced urban life (Leslie and Guerrieri 38).
Nowadays, Colombian urban life lives its heritages and identity through wearing a black or red Tshirt of Juan Valdez (the well-known figure that represents the National Federation of Coffee Growers of
Colombia) and bamboo hat to remember their homeland's renowned coffee, remaining festivities and
celebrations, wearing bracelets and necklaces colored with Colombian’s flag (yellow-blue-red), or practicing
or following their favorite sports such as soccer, cyclist or boxing. In the same way, by exporting coffee,
petroleum and petroleum products, fruits, flowers, iron and steel, textile and clothes, Colombia keeps its
presence through the world. In fact, through these exports, Colombia sells a positive face of a hardworking country which struggles against the violence so to bring its people a better future, and big reasons
to strengthen their ancestral roots and identity, and finally to feel pride of being Colombians.
In conclusion, Colombia is changing rapidly through the time. Indigenous peoples have
consolidated a strong national movement that has achieved a great political and social and cultural
dynamics not only within their communities, but also within the Colombian social movement. In addition,
Colombians form an extraordinary human conglomerate. The virtues of each ethnicity, manifest in the daily
life of the country, are diverse. Colombians give the nation its identity—its culture, folklore, literature, art,
science, sport, work, and entrepreneurship everyday. Finally, tolerance and respect for our traditions and
costumes make us recognize who we are and feel much closer to our personal identity. The family history
is very important to any person to keep his identity. By knowing where you come from, you can have a
better view of your life. I think that a person’s roots and his origin is one of the most important things to
explore and know into his life. When you discover who you are, you can be much closer to self-discovery
and self-esteem. Also, you help to built a better future for your country and increase its culture and
heritage.
Works Cited
Leslie, Raymond and Guerrieri, Kevin G. “Culture and Customs of Colombia.” Series Culture and Customs
of Latin America and the Caribbean. New York: Greenwood Press, 1999.
Pearce, Jenny. “Colombia: Inside the Labyrinth.” New York: Latin Amer Bureau, 1990.