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At the beginning of the year in the capital of Putumayo, the Mocoa Folkloric Carnival (Carnaval Folclórico de Mocoa) is celebrated, a festival that emerged in 1970.
This festival is derived from the Carnival of Blacks and Whites of Pasto, a tradition brought to Putumayo by the Nariño settlers who populated the region since the beginning of the 20th century.
The main events of the carnival are the "Día de los Negritos", in which participants enjoy the rhythm of music and paint their faces and bodies with black paint, and the float parade that takes place on January 6, the highest day of the carnival, in which the Mocoanos exhibit all their creativity with elaborate floats with different motifs, which celebrate their culture, traditions, history and the biodiversity of the region.
On the 7th it is tradition to move the carnival to one of the towns near Mocoa such as Puerto Limón or Puerto Umbría.
The carnival also includes performances by local musical groups that perform typical genres of the region and exhibitions of traditional dances that highlight the cultural diversity of Putumayo.
Gastronomic fairs offer attendees the opportunity to enjoy native dishes and typical drinks from the region.
The Mocoa Folk Carnival (Carnaval Folclórico de Mocoa) not only celebrates the cultural and traditional richness of the Amazon region, but also encourages tourism and strengthens the sense of community in the city.
