Colombia´s richness goes beyond its natural resources and relies heavily on its people. The cultural heritage found in the country can be widely appreciated from numerous perspectives, however, art and music offer some of the most explicit examples of such. From traditional genres, such as vallenato to worldwide class artists and musicians, the talent and creativity of the Colombian people cannot be denied.

 

Music

 

Colombian music is very distinct within regions and in regards to this aspect the nation can be divided into four regions: Pacific, “Andina”, Caribbean and the “Llanos Orientales.” Even though, the music and dances of each region are typical, they have formed through a mixture of Spanish, Indigenous and African cultures due to the nation's colonial past.

 

In the Caribbean region, the music and dances are commonly adequate for dances and they show a direct influence by the African Slaves once brought by the Spanish empire. Some of such musical genres include Mapalé, Cumbia and Porro. Alongside them, in the “Cesar” and “Guajira” region originated the musical genre which is perhaps, Colombia´s most famous and representative: Vallenato.

 

The Pacific region displays a larger Spanish influence, however, with a slight African touch. It as rhythms like Currulao, Bunde, Makerele, Aguabajo and others. In this music, the drums and percussion are the most important instruments.

 

Music in the “Llanos Orientales” region is played mainly with the Harp, Cuatro and maracas. In it, numerous Spanish elements are present and the predominant subject is the rancher life most people have in the region. Rhythms of this music include Joropo, Pasaje, Seis and La Zumba que Zumba.

 

Finally, one of the most important genres in Colombia is Salsa. Having its epicenter in Cali, it has grown to gain international recognition and it distinguished as one of the most important pieces of heritage in the nation.

 

Art

 

Colombian art can be traced mainly to the time of the conquest and colony by the Spanish empire. This is widely seen through the enormous influence the Europeans made in our painters, as they commonly portrayed catholic saints and adhered to Spain´s main literary movements

 

In colonial times many “criollo” (Spanish men born in the Americas) emerged to the scene. Some include: Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos, Baltasar de Vargas Figueroa, Victorino García Romero and Alejandro de Humboldt.

 

In modern and contemporary times the topics have diverged, shifting towards a broader scope of techniques and subjects, apart from catholicism. From this period some of the most famous artists are Alejandro Obregón, Alfonso Ferro, Ángel Loochkartt, Omar rayo, Fernando Botero and others.

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