Marimonda

Barranquilla, Colombia – 27 February 2006

Colombian men, wearing the traditional Marimonda costume, dance during the Carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia, 27 February 2006. The Carnival of Barranquilla is a unique festivity which takes place every year during February or March on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. A colourful mixture of the ancient African tribal dances and the Spanish music influence – cumbia, porro, mapale, puya, congo among others – hit for five days nearly all central streets of Barranquilla. Those traditions kept for centuries by Black African slaves have had the great impact on Colombian culture and Colombian society. In November 2003 the Carnival of Barranquilla was proclaimed as the Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.