Today, our explorations took us inside a little-known part of Colombia to the town of San Antero. Located in the Córdoba Department of Northern Colombia, this quaint town surrounded by farmlands, is known as the land of donkeys. Since 1987, El Festival del Burro, or the Donkey Festival, has become an emblematic event in San Antero, taking place during Holy Week to honor the hard work of donkeys that carry plantains and dig ditches.
We made our way to Santa Cruz de Lorica and met up with our local guides who led us through this charming riverside town. In the architecture, art, and artisan market (a national monument) we could sense the influence of the several waves of immigration from France, Belgium, England, Syria, and Lebanon. Before moving on to our next destination, we were treated to folkloric music and dancing along the Sinú River.
The indigenous village of Tuchin was our next stop and here, not only were we treated to traditional dancing by the Zenu people, but we also got a glimpse of the process that goes into making the sombrero vueltiao, the national symbol of Colombia. The artisans of Tuchin produce more than 1,000 vueltiao hats a day, continuing an art form that has existed within the region for over 1,000 years.
