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Born in Pasto, the Black and White Carnival has become an emblematic festival throughout southwestern Colombia. One of the departments where it has the most roots is in Putumayo, where it is celebrated with slight variations in towns such as Mocoa, Villagarzón and Valle del Guamuez.
In the colonization processes of the first half of the 20th century, a large number of Nariñense peasants descended the slopes of the Nudo de los Pastos, taking with them the tradition of the carnival, towards the jungle plains of Putumayo.
There this festival was enriched by the traditions of the indigenous peoples of the region, giving rise to the Putumayan carnivals that we know today.
The carnival in Putumayo follows the same symbolic structure as in other regions: the "Black Day" and the "White Day." During "Negro Day," participants paint their faces black, remembering the day when African slaves were allowed to celebrate.
On "White Day", everyone is covered in white with talcum powder, celebrating brotherhood and peace between the different ethnicities and cultures of the region.
The event includes colorful parades of comparsas that represent the indigenous and peasant traditions of Putumayo. Decorated floats, traditional dances and folk music fill the streets with a festive and multicultural atmosphere.
The Black and White Carnival in Putumayo (Carnaval de Negros y Blancos de Putumayo) is not only a celebration of local identity, but also a space to strengthen social cohesion and highlight the ethnic and cultural diversity of the department.
