Cumbia from Carnaval, Barranquilla, Colombia

Hundreds of dancers parade for blocks while performing professional level cumbia and other dances, accompanied by live music, while in traditional costumes and with a big smile! It is an enchanting sight as part of the Carnaval festivities in Barranquilla, Colombia. Join us next year for a front row seat!

Check our our trip in 2010 that includes the Carnaval in Barranquilla Colombia!

http://vamoscolombiatour.blogspot.com/2009/08/colombian-carnaval-and-machu-picchu-13.html

Grand Parade #2 at Barranquilla Carnaval

More pictures from the second day of parades at the Barranquilla Carnaval. Mostly traditional dance groups from different regions of Colombia, complete with traditional and modern costumes and outfits. Here are the pix. 

UNESCO has designated the Barranquilla Carnaval as part of the Intangible Cultural Patrimony of the world.  Perhaps in response, Barranquilla has undertaken a concerted effort to bring young people into the tradition, in order to keep it alive. As a result, the parade is full of young people (in complete costumes and dancing up a storm), as well as the older generation who still cannot get enough. 

Live Cumbia Music Gets all of Carnaval Dancing (Not too hard to do actually)

Vamos Colombia Tour brings you a taste of the live music featured in the free concert in the Plaza de Paz tonight in Barranquilla. A celebration of traditional Colombian cumbia music, with both stars and locals. 

The crowd was dancing along the whole time, with a special part right in front of the stage blocked of for those dancing the whole time, while the rest of the crowd would just sing and dance and cheer as they liked. 

The crowd was a cross section of the Colombian population - all sectors, statuses and colors. Only a few international tourists were glimpsed, although people from all over Colombia come to Barranquilla for the Carnaval each year, especially those who enjoy traditional Colombian music (which is just about all Colombians!)

Notice the traditional woven hat in black and white which is extremely popular at Carnaval, rivaling the Carnaval masks and characters costumes. 

Check out the videos we took:

The street food was plentiful but we did not try it: