Experience the Barranquilla Carnival: Complete Guide to Characters and Costumes

Get excited for the Barranquilla Carnival , my people! Get ready for the coolest party in Colombia! If you're thinking about attending this celebration, this guide will help you soak up the magic and flavor of this festival, because with the reading of the proclamation, joy and folklore take over the city, ushering in a season of celebration and tradition.

If you still haven't decided to come to the Barranquilla Carnival, I'm telling you, you don't know what you're missing. 🤨 Did you know it's one of the most important festivals in Colombia and the world? 🌎 Yes, that's right! The Barranquilla Carnival is a World Heritage Site, and that's no small festivity.

We know that sometimes laziness or a lack of inspiration can hold you back. 😴 You think, "Why dress up? Why wear accessories? I'd better stay home." But that way you miss out on all the magic, joy, and flavor of this unique holiday!

Imagine yourself dancing cumbia at the Battle of Flowers, surrounded by floats, comparsas and costumes 🎊 Or laughing out loud at the antics of the Marimonda at the Great Parade of Tradition 😂 Or feeling the energy of the Congo at the Guacherna, the night parade that lights up the city ✨

Don't miss out on the Carnival! At Carolina Bijouterie, we'll help you catch the Carnival fever and experience it like a true Barranquilla native. 🕺💃 We have everything you need to live it up and express your joyful spirit: hats, caps, combs, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, headbands, bows, and bags inspired by the most iconic Carnival characters.

Leave your shyness aside and dare to be part of this explosion of color, music, and tradition. 🎭 The Barranquilla Carnival awaits you with open arms!

Barranquilla is on fire!: The Story

And to get you excited, let me tell you that the Barranquilla Carnival is a fun event that takes place every year, usually between February and March, in Curramba la Bella, the flavor capital of the Caribbean coast! This festival has a long history—it's been going on for centuries!—and is one of the most important in Colombia.

Where did this craze come from? Well, it dates back to the colonial era, when African slaves and indigenous people from around here held their own festivals. Over time, those traditions mingled with what the Europeans brought, and BOOM! This unique and diverse festival emerged.

Today, the Barranquilla Carnival is a World Heritage Site, no less! And yet people come from all over the world to enjoy the music, dancing, costumes, and unbridled joy.

Characters who rock the Carnival

What's most striking about Carnival are its characters, each with their own story and their own rhythm! These characters are the ones who rule the parades and carnival groups; they're the life and soul of the party!

• Marimonda, the one who rules the show!: Marimonda is the coolest guy at Carnival, the coolest! With her brightly colored outfit and big-nosed mask, she embodies bullshit and social criticism. Marimonda isn't afraid of anyone and even makes fun of the mayor!

• Negrita Puloy, pure flavor!: Negrita Puloy, with her flow and her beauty! She represents the Afro-descendant woman, with her colorful dress and feather crown. She steals the show at the parades!

• Congo, a contagious rhythm!: Congo brings its African heritage to Carnival. With its costumes of bright fabrics, masks, and rattles, it dances to the beat of drums, recalling its African roots!

• Monocuco, mystery and tradition!: Monocuco is an enigmatic character, with his costume of fabrics and masks. He represents the blending of cultures during Carnival! He dances to the music and has a unique tumbao (beat).

• Garabato, creativity on the surface!: Garabato is pure imagination and Black folklore, brought from Ciénaga (Magdalena) during the second half of the last century. The dance is from the same family as Torito and Congo, and it depicts the struggle between life and death.

• Cumbiambera, joy to dance!: The Cumbiambera is what makes everyone enjoy themselves. With her colorful dress and flower crown, she dances with energy and flavor. She is the star of the cumbia scene at Carnival!

So it was time to dress up!

Barranquilla Carnival costumes are an integral part of the celebration, representing the region's rich and diverse cultural heritage. These vibrant garments feature intricate designs, meticulous details, and an explosion of color. Each costume has a unique meaning and story, passed down from generation to generation. Among the most iconic Carnival costumes are the Marimonda, the Negrita Puloy, the Congo, the Monocuco, the Garabato, and the Cumbiambera, true classics that embody the spirit of the festivities.

So choose your favorite character and join the fun! Here are some tips to help you look like a true Barranquilla native:

• Choose your character: Think about which character you like the most and research them. This way, you'll be able to choose a costume that honors them.
• Accessories!: Don't forget to accessorize your costume with hats, caps, combs, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings—whatever you can think of! Make sure they're in the colors and shapes of your favorite character.
• Makeup and Hair: Get creative! Come up with ideas and practice before Carnival so you'll look like royalty. You can use hats, headbands, combs, bows, and other accessories to enhance the color and look more like your favorite character.

Enjoy Carnival!

Hold on, the Barranquilla Carnival lasts several days, and there's plenty to do! To make the most of it, I recommend you don't miss these must-see Barranquilla Carnival events:

• Reading of the proclamation: Here it all begins! The Queen gives the order to rejoice, and here she is obeyed. This is the official proclamation of Carnival, where the Queen begins the festivities!
  
• Coronation of the Popular Queens: Beauty and flavor on stage! So you can delight in the talent of our people. The queens of Barranquilla's neighborhoods are chosen in an event full of music and folklore!
  
• Reading of the proclamation and coronation of the children's carnival kings: So that children can have their own carnival too! Children also have their own place at Carnival, with their own queen and king!
  
• Tradition Weekend : Dance with Special and Relationship Dances, Comparsas, and Cumbias at the River of Traditions! Pure Barranquilla flavor! A weekend dedicated to traditional Carnival dances, with parades and performances at the River of Traditions!
  
• River of Traditions: Joy flows down the river! A place to enjoy the music and culture of Carnival on the banks of the Magdalena River!
  
• Guacherna: The night lights up with torches and music! Enjoy! A nighttime parade with lanterns and music, one of the most iconic events of Carnival!
  
• Dance the Street at River Night: Shake your legs with a river view! A night of dancing and live music, with the Magdalena River as your backdrop!
  
• Coronation of the Carnival Kings: The most anticipated moment! The coronation of the Carnival Queen and King, an event filled with pomp and ceremony!
  
• Orchestra Night: And to top it all off, they'll choose the People's Queen! The party goes on until dawn! A night of live music with the best Carnival orchestras, and the election of the People's Queen!
  
• Flower Battle : Throw flowers and enjoy the King Momo Parade! The largest and most colorful parade of the Carnival, with floats, troupes, and costumes! And then there's a concert with world-class artists! And then there's the Metroconcert !
• Great Parade of Tradition: To see the most authentic dances and troupes! A parade featuring the most traditional Carnival dances and troupes, a true cultural treasure!
  
• Festival of Litanies: Laugh out loud! A competition for litanies, humorous and satirical verses on current topics!
  
• Comedy Festival: More laughs! Performances of comic plays, sure to make you laugh out loud!
  
• Orchestra Festival: Dance until your feet hurt! A live music festival with the best Carnival orchestras, so you can dance nonstop!
  
• Grand Parade of Carnival Groups: A showcase of creativity! A parade featuring the most elaborate and creative Carnival groups!
  
• Joselito Parade: Carnival is over, but the joy continues! The burial of Joselito Carnaval, a character who represents the joy and debauchery of Carnival! But don't worry, the joy continues!
  I hope you enjoy these events and experience the Barranquilla Carnival like never before!

To enjoy to the fullest and without worries: Remember to follow police instructions, do not carry valuables, and take care of your belongings. Don't forget to stay hydrated and eat well! Try typical foods like sancocho, coconut rice, and sweets; and sip cocktails and drinks from the region. Make reservations ahead of time for where you'll sleep and how you'll get around, because everything gets crowded during Carnival.

Don't miss a single day of this unforgettable celebration! The Barranquilla Carnival awaits you with open arms! Enjoy, because the world is about to end!

The Barranquilla Carnival is a celebration beyond the ordinary, an unforgettable experience! With its characters, costumes, and joy, it's a showcase of the cultural richness of our people.

If you have the opportunity to come, prepare to immerse yourself in this world of music, dance, and tradition! Let yourself be swept away by the magic of Carnival and experience this celebration like a true Barranquilla native.

See you at Carnival, my people! Let's have fun, it's said!