Colombia celebrates colourful Black and White carnival
Artists put together a six-hour parade featuring colourful outfits.
PASTO (Reuters) - The annual and vibrant Black and White carnival, which has its origins in a mix of Andean, Amazonian and Pacific cultural expressions, took place on Sunday (January 5) and Monday (January 6) in the southwestern Colombian city of Pasto.
During the two-day carnival, which UNESCO named a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2009, participants dress in colours as well as in black and white to symbolise unity and equality while celebrating ethnic and cultural diversity.
On the day of the Whites on Monday, artists put together a six-hour parade featuring colourful outfits. On the day of the Blacks on Sunday, participants are encouraged to paint their faces black to commemorate the liberation of slaves.
