A warrior dance of the Barranquilla Carnival: groups in tall flowered headdresses, ribbons and wooden swords march and ‘battle’ through the streets.
The Barranquilla Carnival, recognised by UNESCO in 2008, brings together many traditional dances — congo, garabato, paloteo, son de negro, mapalé and cumbia among them. The congo is one of the oldest: its groups (‘congos’) wear tall turbans covered with paper flowers, colourful ribbons and mirrors, carry wooden swords and dance in procession to drums and songs. It recalls African cabildos of colonial times and the memory of resistance. In the same carnival, the garabato stages a playful battle between life and death, and the paloteo recreates combat with sticks — all part of one great celebration of the city.
