Jan
05
2013
Jan
06
2013
Jan
05
2014
Jan
06
2014
Jan
05
2015
Jan
06
2015
There Are Many Shades of Grey at the Blacks and Whites Carnival, Colombia
Published by Catherine O'Halloran, Writer
Country: Colombia 
The Experience
The Carnival de Negros y Blancos, or the Blacks and Whites Carnival, is an annual Columbian tradition that takes place in the city of Pasto from December 28 to January 7; although the actual Black and White days are January 5–6. January 5 is the day of the Blacks, and January 6 is the day of the Whites.
The origin of the Carnival de Negros y Blancos dates back to the days of the conquistadores (masters) and esclavos (slaves). At the beginning of the new year, slaves were given a day off from work by some of the more benevolent masters. Nowadays, to symbolize the equality of all people and races, those attending the Carnival de Negros y Blancos paint themselves black (for the slaves) and white (for the masters). Some sources say that one conquistador household started this tradition when the slaves painted themselves white on their day off. Today, players paint themselves with flour, talc powder, tar, grease paint, or anything else that will stay on. These new faces need to last all day.
The Blacks and Whites Carnival begins with the water carnival on December 28: the day of the Holy Innocents. The water carnival is a fun water fight where many Pastusos hail in the forthcoming year by playing with water. The Blacks and Whites Carnival water carnival very much mirrors the customs of neighbouring Ecuador and the Carnival of Quito. The idea of water festivities in both countries is centred on practical jokes and hoaxes aimed at pedestrians on the street. At least, that was the origin of it. It’s now more of an all-out street water party where everyone gets soaked and has loads of fun soaking others. In recent times, the Pasto authorities have tried to intervene to ban waste water, and they’ve found a solution by arranging for maintenance work on the city’s water networks during that time, and cutting off the municipal water supply. It seems that the authorities have the upper hand on practical jokes; and at the moment, have the last laugh.
As an alternative to the water play, an initiative by the arts department of the University of Nariño introduces the “Rainbow on the Asphalt” program. Chalk on the dull grey concrete enlivens the city and is a creative participatory exercise for all to enjoy. The sense of carnival festivity is retained through collective street art, and the pre-carnival flair is more centred on colour than water.
Houses and streets are decorated and painted to set the city in a playful, celebratory atmosphere. It’s a parade that bids farewell to the old year, and takes place on December 31. Floats and players troop through the streets using puppets to portray satirical scenes of current Columbian events, and the Carnival de Negros y Blancos carries on, ending with the all important Black and White days. These days dually symbolize the importance of ethnic difference and unity.
This Carnival de Negros y Blancos began as a way to celebrate life, and continues to uphold those ideals. The city becomes a large community, and everyone can express their visions of life and the mutual desire for a future filled with tolerance and respect.
The origin of the Carnival de Negros y Blancos dates back to the days of the conquistadores (masters) and esclavos (slaves). At the beginning of the new year, slaves were given a day off from work by some of the more benevolent masters. Nowadays, to symbolize the equality of all people and races, those attending the Carnival de Negros y Blancos paint themselves black (for the slaves) and white (for the masters). Some sources say that one conquistador household started this tradition when the slaves painted themselves white on their day off. Today, players paint themselves with flour, talc powder, tar, grease paint, or anything else that will stay on. These new faces need to last all day.
The Blacks and Whites Carnival begins with the water carnival on December 28: the day of the Holy Innocents. The water carnival is a fun water fight where many Pastusos hail in the forthcoming year by playing with water. The Blacks and Whites Carnival water carnival very much mirrors the customs of neighbouring Ecuador and the Carnival of Quito. The idea of water festivities in both countries is centred on practical jokes and hoaxes aimed at pedestrians on the street. At least, that was the origin of it. It’s now more of an all-out street water party where everyone gets soaked and has loads of fun soaking others. In recent times, the Pasto authorities have tried to intervene to ban waste water, and they’ve found a solution by arranging for maintenance work on the city’s water networks during that time, and cutting off the municipal water supply. It seems that the authorities have the upper hand on practical jokes; and at the moment, have the last laugh.
As an alternative to the water play, an initiative by the arts department of the University of Nariño introduces the “Rainbow on the Asphalt” program. Chalk on the dull grey concrete enlivens the city and is a creative participatory exercise for all to enjoy. The sense of carnival festivity is retained through collective street art, and the pre-carnival flair is more centred on colour than water.
Houses and streets are decorated and painted to set the city in a playful, celebratory atmosphere. It’s a parade that bids farewell to the old year, and takes place on December 31. Floats and players troop through the streets using puppets to portray satirical scenes of current Columbian events, and the Carnival de Negros y Blancos carries on, ending with the all important Black and White days. These days dually symbolize the importance of ethnic difference and unity.
This Carnival de Negros y Blancos began as a way to celebrate life, and continues to uphold those ideals. The city becomes a large community, and everyone can express their visions of life and the mutual desire for a future filled with tolerance and respect.
When to Go to Carnaval De Blancos Y Negros
There is no immediate chance that the Carnival de Negros y Blancos will be disappearing anytime soon. Make sure you experience the Blacks and Whites Festival from the beginning, and arrive before December 30. To only participate in the Black and White days, aim to be in Columbia by January 5.
Odds n' Ends
Come ready to celebrate and get a bit messy! People use whatever they can to make themselves black or white, so come prepared!
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
3 miles away
3 miles away
More Experiences Nearby
- Bartering in Otavalo's Indigenous Market, Ecuador
- Every Saturday the cobbled stone streets of Otavalo transform into a bustling indigenous market stretching as far as a 10-block radius from the centre of town. Hundreds of Otavaleños gather at this hot tourist destination to sell their infamous hand-woven textiles and handicrafts. For those who arrive on a Friday night, Saturday brings an entire new world as the streets of Otavalo overflow with temporary wooden booths filled to the brim with a spectrum of brilliant colours. The Otavalo Market is one of the most famous and largest indigenous markets in Ecuador, and arguably throughout South America. Renowned for its ...95 miles away.
Video
Video Wall
You are now being transfered to our Video Wall
Books and DVDs
- Colombia: Fragmented Land, Divided Society
- Colombia: Fragmented Land, Divided Society is a comprehensive history of the third most populous country of Latin America. It offers the most extensive discussion available in English of the whole of Colombian history-from pre-Columbian times to the present.
- Colombia - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
- Culture Smart! Colombia shows how the country’s rough geography and tumultuous history have shaped modern values and attitudes. It looks at the public realm and at life at home with the family. It introduces you to Colombia’s distinct and delicious cuisine, and reveals what people think about each other, their neighbors, and foreigners. There is advice on the safest ways to get around; on how business is done; and how Colombians communicate. Culture Smart! Colombia explains the intricacies of a culture that is both modern and steeped in tradition, international and regional, cosmopolitan and agrarian, very rich and very poor, and after more than four decades of undeclared civil war is happily emerging from tough times and getting ready for the future.
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Spanish 
is one of the languages spoken in Colombia. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
People who wish to experience
Recent Tweets
Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "carnaval de blancos y negros":
