ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Additional resources on Colombia's culture can be found on Latin Travel Guide and Maps of the World. Both of these sites provide a brief history along with information about language, cultural influences and attitudes, ethnicity, and art.
The image about shoes the distribution of dialects of the Spanish language within Colombia. In America, we know people to have "southern" accents or "eastern" accents, the same thing occurs in Colombia. Under the elements of culture, this falls under the social aspects.
Image source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Dialectos_Colombia.png
Image source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Dialectos_Colombia.png
STATISTICS
Ethnic Groups: Mestizo and white 84.2%, Afro-Colombian (includes multatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 10.4%, Amerindian 3.4%, Roma <.01, unspecified 2.1% *
Religion: Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%
Age Structure: 0-14 years: 24.94% (male 5,967,860/female 5,688,106)
15-24 years: 17.81% (male 4,234,564/female 4,087,134)
25-54 years: 41.71% (male 9,653,094/female 9,841,546)
55-64 years: 8.62% (male 1,885,481/female 2,141,618)
65 years and over: 6.93% (male 1,349,613/female 1,887,712) *
Birth/Death Rate: 16.47 births/1,000 population ***
5.4 deaths/1,000 population ***
Obesity in Adulthood: 20.7% **
* - Estimated in 2005, ** - Estimated in 2014, *** - Estimated in 2015
(all statistics came from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/co.html)
Religion: Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%
Age Structure: 0-14 years: 24.94% (male 5,967,860/female 5,688,106)
15-24 years: 17.81% (male 4,234,564/female 4,087,134)
25-54 years: 41.71% (male 9,653,094/female 9,841,546)
55-64 years: 8.62% (male 1,885,481/female 2,141,618)
65 years and over: 6.93% (male 1,349,613/female 1,887,712) *
Birth/Death Rate: 16.47 births/1,000 population ***
5.4 deaths/1,000 population ***
Obesity in Adulthood: 20.7% **
* - Estimated in 2005, ** - Estimated in 2014, *** - Estimated in 2015
(all statistics came from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/co.html)
DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE OVER TIME
The two images above show the adult literacy rate of females in Colombia in 2 different time periods. The first image shows the literacy rate of females in Colombia to be only 81% in 1993. However on the right, the image shows the literacy rate of females to be 94% in 2011. In 18 years, the adult female literacy rate increased by 13% in Colombia.
The two images above show the female employment rate of girls ages 15+ in Colombia. The first image shows the female employment rate to be 38% in 1992. On the right, the second image shows female employment rate at 53% in 2006. In only 14 years, the percentage of working females went up 15%.
These are positive changes that are being made over time towards gender equality in Colombia. While the data isn't drastic, it is baby steps and are a good sign of further improvement of gender equality. Unfortunately, the data for female literacy did not go any earlier than 1993. It would have been interesting to see if there were significant improvements from the 60's to the 90's. in 18 years, female literacy improved by 13%. If we divide 13 by 18, we can calculate that female literacy goes up about 0.72% each year. If that trend continues, in 5 years (from 2011, meaning 2016), literacy rate will be over 96%! Meaning almost every adult female in Colombia will be literate. We can do the same calculations for female employment. In 14 years, female employment went up 15%, meaning a 0.93% increase per year. If this trend continues, we can expect to see full female employment in Colombia in 48 years from 2006 (~2054).
Again, these numbers aren't drastic, life-changing numbers, but they are still a step in the right direction for females in Colombia. Slowly but surely, Colombia is working up to gender equality.
All images created from gapminder.org
These are positive changes that are being made over time towards gender equality in Colombia. While the data isn't drastic, it is baby steps and are a good sign of further improvement of gender equality. Unfortunately, the data for female literacy did not go any earlier than 1993. It would have been interesting to see if there were significant improvements from the 60's to the 90's. in 18 years, female literacy improved by 13%. If we divide 13 by 18, we can calculate that female literacy goes up about 0.72% each year. If that trend continues, in 5 years (from 2011, meaning 2016), literacy rate will be over 96%! Meaning almost every adult female in Colombia will be literate. We can do the same calculations for female employment. In 14 years, female employment went up 15%, meaning a 0.93% increase per year. If this trend continues, we can expect to see full female employment in Colombia in 48 years from 2006 (~2054).
Again, these numbers aren't drastic, life-changing numbers, but they are still a step in the right direction for females in Colombia. Slowly but surely, Colombia is working up to gender equality.
All images created from gapminder.org
RELIGION
The Spanish, as well as the Roman Catholic religion, arrived in Colombia in 1499 and began a time of conquest and colonization eventually creating the Viceroyalty of New Granada, with its current capital at Bogotá. While independence from Spain occurred in 1819, the strong Roman Catholic religion continued. Colombia’s ethnicities are diverse, but their religion is pretty uniform. The descendants of the original indigenous occupants, Spanish colonists, Africans brought to the country as slaves, and 20th-century immigrants from Europe and the Middle East have all contributed to the country’s religious culture.
More than 80 percent of the population either baptized or planning to be baptized in the Catholic Church (Religious Beliefs in Colombia). It wasn’t until 1973 that Colombians were allowed to get married without denying the Catholic faith. The civil validity of church weddings was also recognized, although all marriages were also to be recorded on the civil registry. Catholic marriages, however, could only be dissolved through arbitration in a church court (Religious Beliefs in Colombia). As of 2002, only 12 non-Catholic churches had received the necessary status to perform legal marriages.
The sacred sites within Colombia include El Infiernito, San Augustin, and Las Lajas. Another sacred cathedral in Colombia is the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. This is one of the most distinctive and otherworldly holy places in the world. The cathedral was built using enormous galleries of an old salt mine and is decorated with colored lights that add a secretive and dramatic touch to the various chapels and hidden corners within. Many of the cathedrals within Colombia were built over a century ago and are still used for worship today. Other places of worship include hills that go up above 3,000ft above sea level.
Before the current Colombian Constitution in 1991, Roman Catholicism was Colombia’s “official” religion. The constitution stated that Colombia had no “official or state religion” (Religious Beliefs in Colombia). However, the document specifies that the nation is "not atheist or agnostic, nor indifferent to Colombians' religious sentiment." However, some Colombians have disputed that this sentence means that the Roman Catholic Church continues to hold a privileged position in Colombia; however, a 1994 constitutional court decision confirmed that is be unconstitutional for any government reference to religious characterizations of the country.
Overall, I feel that that religious structures (cathedrals, statues, etc) of Colombia are truly beautiful and breathtaking. However upon doing research, I feel that the Roman Catholic religion in heavily forced in this country. While laws have been passed that disallow the ability to force someone to be Roman Catholic it seems that they are not followed. However with 95% of the population confirming to be Roman Catholic, it makes me wonder if it is forced or if the people do want to be it. Growing up, both of my parents were raised Roman Catholic and went to Catholic school. By the time they became adults, they did not want to continue practicing it due to the fact it was heavily pushed down their throats. I think religion is a great thing and should give people strength and happiness, it shouldn’t be forced to people who don’t want to practice it.
Resources
Religious beliefs in Colombia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2015, from http://www.studylands.com/guide/CO-religion.htm
Colombia - Religions. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2015, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Colombia-RELIGIONS.html
Sacred Sites of Colombia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2015, from https://sacredsites.com/americas/colombia/index.html
More than 80 percent of the population either baptized or planning to be baptized in the Catholic Church (Religious Beliefs in Colombia). It wasn’t until 1973 that Colombians were allowed to get married without denying the Catholic faith. The civil validity of church weddings was also recognized, although all marriages were also to be recorded on the civil registry. Catholic marriages, however, could only be dissolved through arbitration in a church court (Religious Beliefs in Colombia). As of 2002, only 12 non-Catholic churches had received the necessary status to perform legal marriages.
The sacred sites within Colombia include El Infiernito, San Augustin, and Las Lajas. Another sacred cathedral in Colombia is the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. This is one of the most distinctive and otherworldly holy places in the world. The cathedral was built using enormous galleries of an old salt mine and is decorated with colored lights that add a secretive and dramatic touch to the various chapels and hidden corners within. Many of the cathedrals within Colombia were built over a century ago and are still used for worship today. Other places of worship include hills that go up above 3,000ft above sea level.
Before the current Colombian Constitution in 1991, Roman Catholicism was Colombia’s “official” religion. The constitution stated that Colombia had no “official or state religion” (Religious Beliefs in Colombia). However, the document specifies that the nation is "not atheist or agnostic, nor indifferent to Colombians' religious sentiment." However, some Colombians have disputed that this sentence means that the Roman Catholic Church continues to hold a privileged position in Colombia; however, a 1994 constitutional court decision confirmed that is be unconstitutional for any government reference to religious characterizations of the country.
Overall, I feel that that religious structures (cathedrals, statues, etc) of Colombia are truly beautiful and breathtaking. However upon doing research, I feel that the Roman Catholic religion in heavily forced in this country. While laws have been passed that disallow the ability to force someone to be Roman Catholic it seems that they are not followed. However with 95% of the population confirming to be Roman Catholic, it makes me wonder if it is forced or if the people do want to be it. Growing up, both of my parents were raised Roman Catholic and went to Catholic school. By the time they became adults, they did not want to continue practicing it due to the fact it was heavily pushed down their throats. I think religion is a great thing and should give people strength and happiness, it shouldn’t be forced to people who don’t want to practice it.
Resources
Religious beliefs in Colombia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2015, from http://www.studylands.com/guide/CO-religion.htm
Colombia - Religions. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2015, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Colombia-RELIGIONS.html
Sacred Sites of Colombia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2015, from https://sacredsites.com/americas/colombia/index.html
A map of Colombia showing some of the Sacred Places of Religion. Image source: https://sacredsites.com/americas/colombia/index.html
Inside of the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá in Colombia. Image source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/minube/the-19-most-stunning-sacr_b_5357998.html
|
A state of Jesus Christ on the Crucifix in Bogota, Colombia. Image source: https://plusieursregards.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/2013-christ-religion-colombia-bogota.jpg
|
CULTURE DIVERSITY
Colombia is commonly known for being one of the most biologically diverse countries in the entire world. The area contains many rich life forms and it the world’s fourth richest country in terms of biologic diversity (Biodiversity). It is one of the few countries in the entire world to have two different coasts. One in the Pacific sea and one in the Atlantic sea. This offers Colombia with much distinction within the country alone with just its coastal ecosystems. Under the sea is no different than above; Colombia is home to a variety of coral reef habitats as well. Colombia’s culture is also an extremely diverse in terms of race and traditions. A vast majority of Colombian citizens are the descendants of immigrants from other countries who traveled to Colombia in a time of great migration in the early to mid 1900’s.
Many of the traditions and practices practiced by Colombian people today originated from the home country of their ancestors who first came to Colombia. Additionally, the rich environments and ecosystems have also had an effect on the population. Many of the indigenous tribes that first inhabited the land of Colombia were located in areas that are today famous for their rich biodiversity such as the Tatyrona National Park where the most famous these tribes orginially lived. Remains of this tribe can still be found there today. Coincidence that the famous old tribes used to live where some of the most beautiful parts are? I believe it is more than a coincidence but others may not. Other tribes occupied the areas of the Choco, Guajiria, and Caribbean coast as well as the famous Amazonian areas. Places such as these are considered to be extremely important to the few tribes that still remain within Colombia. The Kogi and Ijka Indians who still practice many of the traditions of their ancestors live in the Sierra Madre Mountains today. They believe that the mountain is the “Heart of the World” and that they are the “Elder Brothers” who are in charge of caring for it. They have isolated themselves from the rest of the world since the time of the Spanish invasion of Colombia (Culture).
Almost a fourth of Colombia is covered by the Amazon Rain-forest. Places within these areas such as the Chiorbiquete National Park are almost unable to navigate through due to their thick and impassable environment. Myths say that because of this, the rainforest is thought to harbor cultural secrets. Colombia is provided with many rich natural resources from its prosperous diversity many of witch come from the Amazon Jungle. Colombia is predicted to make important developments in the medicine and food production because its highly valued resourced. Colombia is also a large world water source and produced more fresh water than both India and the United States. (Travel to La Guajira Colombia)
Colombia has become a very popular tourist location due to its rich environment and vibrant and colorful culture. Areas such as the Andes are very popular locations for tourists to go hiking. The Sierra Nevada of Sierra Marta is also located in Colombia and it the tallest coastal mountain on the entire planet. It has now been named a “Biosphere Reserve” because of its true beauty and historic importance. Coastal areas in Colombia are also popular for their beautiful and absolutely breath taking landscapes. These are highly traveled to locations for tourists. Certain islands off the Colombian coast have also become well known spots for retired people to live because of the beautiful scenery and simple and easygoing life style. The increased tourism to Colombia provides its economy with more stimulation and is very beneficial to citizens who live within these areas. Small businesses get to stay open for the tourists all year long and are able to make a profit.
Sources
Biodiversity 2. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://www.estado-natural.com/Estado-Natural/Biodiversity 2.html
Culture: Tradition and avant-garde. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/colombia/culture
Travel to La Guajira Colombia - Treks Visits Activities La Guajira. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://off2colombia.com/la-guajira
Colombia. (2014). Retrieved August 5, 2015 from http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Colombia.html
Many of the traditions and practices practiced by Colombian people today originated from the home country of their ancestors who first came to Colombia. Additionally, the rich environments and ecosystems have also had an effect on the population. Many of the indigenous tribes that first inhabited the land of Colombia were located in areas that are today famous for their rich biodiversity such as the Tatyrona National Park where the most famous these tribes orginially lived. Remains of this tribe can still be found there today. Coincidence that the famous old tribes used to live where some of the most beautiful parts are? I believe it is more than a coincidence but others may not. Other tribes occupied the areas of the Choco, Guajiria, and Caribbean coast as well as the famous Amazonian areas. Places such as these are considered to be extremely important to the few tribes that still remain within Colombia. The Kogi and Ijka Indians who still practice many of the traditions of their ancestors live in the Sierra Madre Mountains today. They believe that the mountain is the “Heart of the World” and that they are the “Elder Brothers” who are in charge of caring for it. They have isolated themselves from the rest of the world since the time of the Spanish invasion of Colombia (Culture).
Almost a fourth of Colombia is covered by the Amazon Rain-forest. Places within these areas such as the Chiorbiquete National Park are almost unable to navigate through due to their thick and impassable environment. Myths say that because of this, the rainforest is thought to harbor cultural secrets. Colombia is provided with many rich natural resources from its prosperous diversity many of witch come from the Amazon Jungle. Colombia is predicted to make important developments in the medicine and food production because its highly valued resourced. Colombia is also a large world water source and produced more fresh water than both India and the United States. (Travel to La Guajira Colombia)
Colombia has become a very popular tourist location due to its rich environment and vibrant and colorful culture. Areas such as the Andes are very popular locations for tourists to go hiking. The Sierra Nevada of Sierra Marta is also located in Colombia and it the tallest coastal mountain on the entire planet. It has now been named a “Biosphere Reserve” because of its true beauty and historic importance. Coastal areas in Colombia are also popular for their beautiful and absolutely breath taking landscapes. These are highly traveled to locations for tourists. Certain islands off the Colombian coast have also become well known spots for retired people to live because of the beautiful scenery and simple and easygoing life style. The increased tourism to Colombia provides its economy with more stimulation and is very beneficial to citizens who live within these areas. Small businesses get to stay open for the tourists all year long and are able to make a profit.
Sources
Biodiversity 2. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://www.estado-natural.com/Estado-Natural/Biodiversity 2.html
Culture: Tradition and avant-garde. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/colombia/culture
Travel to La Guajira Colombia - Treks Visits Activities La Guajira. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://off2colombia.com/la-guajira
Colombia. (2014). Retrieved August 5, 2015 from http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Colombia.html
FOOD IN COLOMBIA
This lovely looking dish would be found near the Coast of Colombia. Fish are plentiful here and are a large part of Colombian's diet. This dish is a "fried mojarra with coconut rice and patacones" (fried green plantains).
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/20/colombian-food-cuisine-dishes_n_5596298.html |
Chuelta Valuna is a traditional Colombian dish from the El Valle on the west coast of Colombia. . It is usually served with a side of beans and/or rice. Above, it can be seen served with rice, fries, tomatoes, and some lime.
Ingredients( 6 Servings)
Directions
Source:
http://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/colombian-breaded-pork-cutlets-lomo-de-cerdo-apanado
Ingredients( 6 Servings)
- 2 pounds pork loin
- Salt
- Pepper
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons scallions, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons onions, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sazon Goya with azafran
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
Directions
- Cut the pork loin into 6 pieces and place them between sheets of parchment paper then pound them until each piece is about ¼” thick.
- Place the cutlets in a large plastic bag and add the onions, scallions, garlic and cumin powder, turning the bag to be sure the meat is covered. Let pork marinate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Place flour and sazon Goya in a dish and mix.
- In a second dish beat the eggs.
- In a third dish place the bread crumbs.
- Remove the pork from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
- One at the time coat the pork with the flour mixture, dip in the eggs and coat with bread crumbs. Be sure they are well coated.
- In a large non-stick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat, place 2 cutlets at a time and fry about 3 minutes per side or until golden. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Clean the skillet with paper towels between batches and continue cooking the pork in the same way you did with the first batch.
Source:
http://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/colombian-breaded-pork-cutlets-lomo-de-cerdo-apanado