The national traditions and customs of Colombia have formed the descendants of the Spanish and African tribes who live in the country and already consider themselves to be its indigenous inhabitants. Thanks to the fusion of a large number of crops, Colombia has interesting customs that make the life of the population more colorful. Tourists, while visiting the country, are happy to dive into this atmosphere.
The national traditions and customs of Colombia have formed the descendants of the Spanish and African tribes who live in the country and already consider themselves to be its indigenous inhabitants. Thanks to the fusion of a large number of crops, Colombia has interesting customs that make the life of the population more colorful. Tourists, while visiting the country, are happy to dive into this atmosphere.
Everyday traditions
In terms of preserving traditions and customs, Colombia is an amazing country. The people cherish treacherously what their ancestors gave to them, transferring these foundations to all spheres of their lives. Tourists who are in Colombia, it seems that they are visiting a large family. Here is a list of customs that can be found in any region of Colombia:
- Hospitality. For the Colombians, this is not just a character trait, but a tradition. In cafes and restaurants guests are greeted by the owner of the establishment, and in the hotels the staff is trying to place the guest as comfortably as possible.
- Blessing to parting. Colombians are deeply religious people, even teenagers and children visit the church. Therefore, they say goodbye to each other. Even turning to the Colombian for help, do not be surprised that at the end of the conversation he will say "Bendiciones!", Which means "Blessings!". It is desirable to respond the same.
- Coffee and cocoa. For many, Colombia is associated only with coffee, but this is a stereotype. For decades, the country has been one of the main exporters of cocoa. Colombians do not represent their day without a fragrant drink and start with it every morning, and even in a cafe to show hospitality, guests are often offered a free cup of cocoa.
- Appeal to the "you". Colombians rarely show delicacy towards each other, their manner of communication can surprise foreigners. However, there is something that significantly distinguishes them from other peoples: Colombians always refer to each other as "you", even peers and close relatives. This should be taken into account when dealing with the local population.
- Family bonds. Colombians consider themselves to be one big family, and this is immediately apparent from their speech. Appeal to each other begins with the words "my daughter", "mommy", "father", etc. This applies even to strangers. If you ask for help from a local resident, do not be surprised if he addresses you "Mamita!". For Colombians, the most important thing in life is family, and it's not just words. All their free time they spend at home with their relatives. And the usual weekend for them is to go to relatives for dinner or invite them to themselves. On average, families have 3-5 children, and they are always very friendly.
Unusual traditions
Colombians are a very colorful nation that has been forming for a long time. Among them there are Indians, Spaniards and Africans. Interweaving cultures and gave birth to such interesting customs and traditions of Colombia. Many of them pleasantly surprise tourists, for example:
- Bogota is called "Nevera". Constant sun and heat spoiled the Colombians. They think that +15 ° C is already cold. It is this temperature that is common for the capital of Colombia, which lies in the mountains. Because of this, she was nicknamed "Nevera", which translates as "Fridge". Today this name is used on an equal footing with the official one.
- Yellow T-shirts. If you find yourself in Colombia on the day that their football team is playing, you will be surprised that everyone - from children to the elderly - wear yellow t-shirts. Even many employers require their employees to support the team.
- Young mothers. On the streets of Colombia you can often see young girls with children. These are their mothers, not sisters, as many may think. In Colombia, there is a tradition of giving birth to children under the age of 18, at least first-born.