Get to know the African corner of Colombia, San Basilio de Palenque, the first free African town in America
roadtrip:info.availableIn English, Spanish
If you are in Cartagena or its surroundings, you can take this tour, where with local guides you can have a cultural immersion very rich in history and tradition.
On this tour to the incredible African corner in Colombia, you will learn about the first free town in America, a town declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Walk the streets with beautiful stories, which expose the joyful origin of many types of Afro-Colombian music and dance.
- Historical Talk: We will learn from the stories about the history of slavery in America and how people were brought from Africa to America, as well as the process of liberation of enslaved people and creation of the Palenques and we will detail the pillars of the Palenquera culture, customs, manifestations and rituals.
-Community Tour: Tour of the most important places in Palenque, in which we will meet emblematic personalities of the population, traditional medicine space, the house museum, Benkos Biohó monument, boxing gym and image of Antonio Cervantes “Kid Pambelé ” among other places.
-Visit to the Traditional Music and Dance Group: we will enjoy an incredible presentation by the musical group that will perform songs to the rhythm of the drum, with their amazing dances.
-Crafts workshop: You will learn about making traditional crafts using the iraca.
-Explanation of Boxing: We will know the basic steps for the practice of boxing, we will also know the sporting contribution to Colombia through sport.
Saint Basil of Palenque
The first free town in colonial America was founded in 1603 by Benkos Biohó, a fugitive slave who hid there with 36 other men and women.
Traditional Music and Dance Group
If you wish, you can witness why Palenqueros are so admired for their rhythms and dances: San Basilio is the center of Afro-Colombian music (dance presentation not included in the package).