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On the banks of a meander of the Atrato River, in the area where this river divides the departments of Antioquia and Chocó, is Murindó, a municipality where the San Juan festival (Fiestas de San Juan) is celebrated every June 24.
In homage to the saint who received the honor of baptizing Jesus Christ, water is the protagonist of the festival in Murindó. The townspeople take to the streets with hoses, buckets and totumas and wet each other as they walk along the tracks in a colorful parade full of music, dance and costumes. There is a belief that whoever does not get wet during the feast of Saint John will not receive the grace of the Holy Spirit.
The festival generally consists of two days with the morning dedicated to children and the afternoon to adults. During the festival, Murindoseños also gather around community pots to enjoy a traditional sancocho and rice pudding, characteristic traditions of the San Juan festival.
The San Juan Festival in Murindó not only celebrates religious devotion, but also strengthens local identity and promotes a sense of community, consolidating itself as a significant event for the cultural life of the municipality.
