The sights, sound and soul of Colombian carnival
- Text by Stefy Pocket
- Photography by Stefy Pocket
When I arrived at 2017’s Colombia’s Barranquilla Carnival, first thing on Saturday morning, the city was deserted.
After hearing about what a huge deal the event was, I was disappointed to find such empty and silent streets. But I soon realised the reason for the abandoned city centre. Barranquilla Carnival takes over the entire city for four whole days in February each year – and throughout the festival, the whole population is either in, or watching, the parades and parties.
If you have been to a carnival anywhere you already know what they’re about: music, dancing, drinking and drugs. But Barranquilla’s version is bigger, louder, longer and more colourful. The beats fill the streets until sunrise. Thousands of people push, shove and elbow their way through the crowds, with men, woman and kids from all over Colombia meeting, mixing and mingling from party to party.
Barranquilla is a city built on foundations of African, European, and Middle-Eastern cultures. It’s a real cultural and musical melting pot, and this is reflected in its carnival, which mixes all these elements to create a unique blend of sights, sounds, and tastes.
See more of Stefy Pocket’s work on her official website, or follow her on Instagram.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
In the ’60s and ’70s, Greenwich Village was the musical heart of New York
Talkin’ Greenwich Village — Author David Browne’s new book takes readers into the neighbourhood’s creative heyday, where a generation of artists and poets including Bob Dylan, Billie Holliday and Dave Van Ronk cut their teeth.
Written by: Cyna Mirzai
How Labour Activism changed the landscape of post-war USA
American Job — A new exhibition revisits over 70 years of working class solidarity and struggle, its radical legacy, and the central role of photography throughout.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Analogue Appreciation: Emma-Jean Thackray
Weirdo — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, multi-instrumentalist and Brownswood affiliate Emma-Jean Thackray.
Written by: Emma-Jean Thackray
Meet the shop cats of Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan district
Feline good — Traditionally adopted to keep away rats from expensive produce, the feline guardians have become part of the central neighbourhood’s fabric. Erica’s online series captures the local celebrities.
Written by: Isaac Muk
How trans rights activism and sex workers’ solidarity emerged in the ’70s and ’80s
Shoulder to Shoulder — In this extract from writer Jake Hall’s new book, which deep dives into the history of queer activism and coalition, they explore how anti-TERF and anti-SWERF campaigning developed from the same cloth.
Written by: Jake Hall
A behind the scenes look at the atomic wedgie community
Stretched out — Benjamin Fredrickson’s new project and photobook ‘Wedgies’ queers a time-old bullying act by exploring its erotic, extreme potential.
Written by: Isaac Muk