Culture, whether it is in the form of music, visual arts, performing arts or fashion plays an important role in our daily life. Being in contact with one's culture can significantly improve our quality of life. It is a part of our identity, the place where we're from and the experiences we have in this life. Art and entertainment play an important role in individual and collective expression and also provides people with a sense of belonging. 🫂 

In this guide, we will explore different aspects of Spanish/latin culture to understand how spanish speaking individuals view the world and enjoy life! 

Entertainment and Sports 🏟️ 

When it comes to entertainment in Spanish speaking countries, the first word that comes to mind is ¡⚽FUTBOL⚽! But let’s take a look at Colombia where there’s more ways to have fun than just soccer. 

Música 🎵

Tons of famous artists call Colombia home. Shakira, Carlos Vives, Juanes, J Balvin, Maluma, and Karol G all trace their roots to Colombia. 

Shakira

Shakira is originally from the northern coastal town of Barranquilla and is considered una diosa to Colombia, widely hailed as the Queen of Latin Music. She’s been topping charts since 2001 with her debut of “Whenever, Wherever.” She performed at the 2008 Inauguration for President Barack Obama and with Jennifer Lopez in the 2019 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Not to mention she’s also won 3 Grammy Awards, 12 Latin Grammy Awards, 4 MTV Video Music Awards, and 7 Billboard Music Awards. ¡Andále, Shakira! 

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Juanes

Juanes is a Colombian guitarist, singer, songwriter and activist widely known throughout the world. Juanes has used his platform to raise awareness of issues plaguing Colombia through condemning the violence and corruption in his home country. In 2006 Juanes began his own philanthropic foundation dedicated to eradicating Colombia’s land mines and supporting victims of land mine accidents. He continues to be an artist beloved to his fans and to those whose lives he’s been able to positively impact through his foundation, Mi Sangre Foundation. 

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Karol G

Carolina Girlado Navarro is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Her music blends both reggaeton and Latin trap, but can also be known to include reggae and sertaneja. In 2018, she won the Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist and has collaborated with some of Latin America’s biggest stars, such as J Balvin, Daddy Yankee, and Ozuna. 

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Baile 💃

The most well known and popular style of dance in Colombia is la cumbia. The dance is said to have originated during Colombia’s struggle for independence in the 1820’s. Given Colombia’s diverse population Cumbia infuses rhythms and cultural components from American Indians, Europeans, and Africans enslaved during colonial times. 

Cumbia

Colombian’s diversity can be seen through this specific type of dance. Many musicians, dancers, and historians believe cumbia’s percussion came from African influence, and the use of the cane flute came from the Native Colombian indigenous population, while the traditional dress was brought over by the Spaniards. 

Image from Wikimedia Commons 

Deportes ⚽

In nearly all Spanish-speaking countries, soccer (or fútbol) is considered the national sport. However there are still other non traditional sports that many Colombians enjoy both as spectators and as participants.

Fútbol

Like many other countries, soccer reigns supreme in Colombia. The glory years for Colombia’s national team were during the 1990’s when they qualified for 3 world cups and again in 2001 after they won the Copa America. Yet for many Colombians, club football is more important than the national team. Although the national team is composed of Colombians, the majority of the players play their soccer in foreign nations and have largely tangential ties to Colombia. 

By contrast, the club teams have strong ties to the local area in which they play.  The majority of the players on the club teams are from that area of the country and also live there, therefore meaning the fans of the team feel a stronger tie to the local teams as they consider it an extension of themselves.

Image from Unsplash 

Ciclismo

Cycling quickly gained popularity in the 1970s in Colombia when the municipal government chose to close down 120km of the city’s streets to cars for cyclists, skaters, and pedestrians. These pathways are known as ciclovias and are popular in all major Colombia cities. 

On Sunday mornings and national holidays, the ciclovias are reserved for competitive sport and races. Yet throughout the rest of the week, the bikeways are open to encourage locals to commute across the city without causing additional pollution through cars. 

Image from Unsplash

Tejo

In 2000, Congress declared Tejo the national sport of Colombia. The name of the game originates from its puck, or “tejo” that’s a metal object that’s thrown from about 20 meters to a target. The target consists of mechas or folded triangles containing gunpowder, that explode upon impact. Participants greet each bang and mini explosion with a loud cheer. 

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Artes Visuales 🎨

Contemporary artists of Latin America have completely shaped the modern art movement, and today there are many important artists that exhibit a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. 

Jorge Pardo 

A Cuban-American that works with sculptures, installations and architecture. He is deeply inspired by contemporary painting and design to make his art. 

Carlos Cruz-Diez 

A Venezuelan artist 🇻🇪 known to be one of the greates innovators of the 10th Century, that made great contributions to Op art (optical art characteritzed by the use of grometric shapes) and kinetic art. His artworks are mostly colorful and filled of "tricks" to eye. He died in 2019. 

it is also important to note that, throughout history, many latinx artists made significant contributions to the world of visual arts. Other popular artists include Frida Kahlo, a revolutionary Mexican painter, and Diego Rivera, Kahlo's husband and member of the Mexican communist party. These two artists both revolutionized the meaning of beauty and aesthetics in the west world, in addition to confronting the capitalist system through their artwork and activism. 

Strive for Five Vocab  🔑

• Reggaeton - music style that originated in the Caribbean and has been influenced by hip hop, Latin American, and Caribbean music. Vocals can be sung either rapping or singing and are usually sung in Spanish
• Sertaneja - music style popular throughout Brazil and Colombia that frequently uses duos for vocals and has a pop feel
• Cumbia - a style of dance that originated in Latin America and involves cultural elements from American Indians, Africans enslaved during colonial times, and Europeans
• Fútbol - soccer
• Futbol americano - American style football
• Ciclovia - bike pathways created in major cities
• Tejo - traditional throwing sport in Colombia
• Arte óptica - style of art characterized by the use of geometric shapes