This is a presentation about the Carnaval de Negros y Blancos or ( The Carnival of Whites and Blacks) which takes place in Colombia, Pasto between January 2nd until January 7th. The Carnival is meant to celebrate all cultures and races by coming together and enjoying an infusion of culture and art.

1. Carnaval de Negros y Blancos
By: Troy Snyder

3. Carnaval de Negros y
Blancos or (Carnival of
Blacks and Whites) is one of
the largest and oldest
celebrations in Colombia,
specifically in the southern
city of Pasto. The
celebration is a five day
affair which begins on
January 2nd and ends on
the 7th, attracting
thousands of locals and
tourists alike.

4. In 2009, due to it’s
popularity and growth,
the Carnival was
awarded the
Masterpieces of the
Oral and Intangible
Heritage of Humanity
award by United
Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural
Organization.

5. The parade’s origins trace back
in the early 1900s, where
colonies and people of
different backgrounds met and
interacted in the city of Pasto.
This carnival is a display of
different cultures and infusions
of people coming together
after years of living together
and exchanging traditions for
centuries to come. Some
notable influences are of
Indian, African and Spanish
cultural rituals.

6. The five day carnival is
comprised of four
unique stages- of them
being the Pre-carnival,
the Carnavalito, The
Parade of the
Castañeda Family, El
Día de los Negros and
finally El Día de los
Blancos.

7. 1. The Pre-Carnival is
considered the kick off
event of the five day
affair, and during this
time people “get wet”,
and anyone who
participates can walk
around with instruments
and carts filled with
water to contribute to the
sole purpose of the day,
being wet.

8. 2. The
Caravalito is
dedicated to
showcasing the
creative and
musical talents of
children between
the ages of 6 and
14, around all
regions.

9. 3.The Parade of the
Castañeda Family is
a monumental parade
where people dress up
in traditional
costumes and walk
around in the streets
of the city, this is prior
to the break out of a
large party in the
main part of the city.

10. 4. El Día de los
Negros begins on
January 5th and all
willing participants,
receive “pinticas” which
is black cosmetics
applied to the face,
arms and other body
parts. This is meant to
recognize that there are
no differences between
races or classes.

11. 5. El Día de los
Blancos, takes place a
day later and instead of
black pinticas, people are
placed in white powder.
During this day,
collaborators and artists
present their work on
huge floats that go
around the city, spreading
joy and culture for the
remainder of the parade.