Colombia has become a popular travel destination, with Antioquia being among the most traveled. Although Medellin is recognized as the most popular city in Antioquia, the region is filled with many cities and towns that are hard to forget. Since the culture and traditions still have a strong influence on the locals who live here, they can be experienced in many different ways.
If you’re planning to visit Antioquia, we encourage you to take note of some of the popular traditions, and join along when possible! Here are some of the common foods and events that you should be aware of.
Antioquia Culture and Traditions
Fiambre
We can’t talk about culture without bringing up traditional Colombian food. Although there are many typical paisa dishes, the fiambre is one that simply can’t be ignored. This dish may come with some variations, but it typically contains rice, potato, chorizo, plantain, a fried egg, and meat. All of this is wrapped in a plantain leaf, making it an easy meal to take on the go.
The reason this is such an important dish is that it’s the typical dish of farmers or locals who spend long hours in the countryside; the heavy carbohydrates and protein are the perfect combination for a labor intensive day. A little fun fact about this meal is that it’s often consumed cold due to being prepared that morning or the night before.
Since this is the typical dish of coffee farmers, fiambres are heavily connected to the coffee culture in Antioquia. For that reason, many coffee tours offer this dish for lunch as a way to share part of the tradition.
Festival of Flowers in Colombia
The famous Flower Festival, or Feria de las Flores, is an event that attracts people from all over the world. Not only is it a beautiful event with unique and native flowers, but it pays respect to one of Medellin’s main exports. Since flowers have such an economic and social impact on the culture, it’s only right that there’s a whole event dedicated to it.
This tradition started in 1957, but it continues to grow and gain more popularity by the year. For those looking for the best time of the year to visit Medellin, August is on the top of the list thanks to this festival. This 10-day event gives locals and tourists the opportunity to experience all the festival has to offer.
Traditional Colombian Clothing
There are different types of clothing that locals wear depending on their line of work and preference. That said, when we think of traditional Antioquian attire, we think of the muleteer and chapolera, which are commonly worn by coffee farmers.
The muleteer usually consists of:
- Carriel: This is a small leather bag that is worn over the shoulder. It’s used to carry items that don’t fit in the man’s pocket.
- Tapapinche: This is a leather apron that is worn over the pants. It is tied to the waist with a belt and reaches just below the knees.
- Poncho: Ponchos are used to protect against weather conditions and bugs, but they also have many other uses. This includes using them as a napkin, to wipe down the seat, and to cover the ground before sitting down.
- Antioqueno hat: These hats are traditionally white and black; they are commonly made from the heart of the Irica palm.
The women’s traditional outfit is called the chapolera, and is often worn to collect coffee beans. As shown above, it consists of a long, colorful skirt with bright colors and designs. It’s usually matched with a white blouse and a shawl (in colder climates).
Bandeja Paisa
This is another typical dish served in Antioquia. Similar to the fiambre, this dish is a protein and carb-packed dish that is great for farmers. However, you don’t need to be working to enjoy this meal; it’s a popular dish enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
This dish typically consists of plantain, avocado, rice, a fried egg, arepa, chorizo, beans, ground beef, and chicharron. Anyone coming to Medellin or other parts of the Antioquian region can get an insight on local flavors and traditions by trying this dish.
Christmas
Christmas in Colombia isn’t just a one-day celebration; the holiday spirit can be felt throughout the entire month of December! There’s amazing food, Christmas lights everywhere, and celebrations leading up to the big day. One of the traditions that many look forward to is Candle Day, or el Dia de las Velitas. Celebrated on December 7th, people around the country light candles in honor of the Virgin Mary. On this day, friends and family come together to light candles and lanterns at their house, shopping centers, parks, and many other places around the city.
Another tradition is the Novena, which is a Christmas prayer that is recited for the nine nights leading up to Christmas. Although this is a religious event, many people also use it as an excuse to get together with friends and family.
Experiencing Antioquian Traditions for Yourself
Antioquia has many beautiful traditions, and the locals are open and excited about sharing them with others. If you’re interested in learning more about the culture, the best way to do it is by experiencing it yourself.
At Local Tours Medellin, we recognize the importance of giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the culture and traditions. That’s why we offer different cultural tours for anyone who’s interested. To learn more, get in touch with us here.
