Colombian CultureBy Kasandra Bartels

History 141

Music

• Colombian music blends Spanish-influenced guitar and song structure with large gaitaflutes and percussion instruments from the indigenous population, while its percussion structure and dance forms come from Africa.

• In the 1970’s, Colombians went crazy for salsa. The man who was most instrumental in creating Colombia’s salsa scene was Julio Ernesto Estrada Rincon, known as “Fruko”, who with his band, Fruko y los Tesos, began heating up the streets of the urban coast.

Food

• Colombian Cuisine is very diverse and varies depending on the different regions of Colombia. In some areas you will find specialties like roasted ants or guinea pigs while in other areas Colombians wouldn't even touch those dishes.

• A common main dish would be Ajiaco, which consists of Chicken soup like mom used to make it. It includes chicken, two (preferably three) kinds of potatoes, corn, sour cream, capers, avocado and guasca. Guasca is a special herb that grown throughout the Americas and gives the soup its distinct flavour.

Architecture

• The nation's architecture reflects seventeenth century Spanish colonial origins. Regional differences derive from those in Spain. Thus, hints of Moorish and Castilian architecture are evident in many cities. Many areas have had difficulty maintaining older structures, and the climate has destroyed many Baroque buildings. Some of the architectural gems are the many churches that dot the landscape.

• In the nineteenth century, a new form of architecture began to develop from the efforts of artisans who incorporated elements of Greek, Roman, and Renaissance art. This style, known as republicano, represented the independence of Colombian art.

Sources

• http://latinmusic.about.com/od/countrie1/p/PRO04BASICS.htm

• http://www.southamerica.cl/Colombia/Food.htm

• http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Colombia.html