The Carnival of Blacks and Whites (Spanish: Carnaval de Negros y Blancos) of Pasto, Colombia was declared National Cultural Heritage by the congress of the Republic of Colombia in April 2002. The carnival is celebrated every year from January 4th to January 6th and it attracts a considerable number of tourists from around the world. The carnival consists of four well defined phases which include the pre-carnival, the arrival of the Castaneda Family, the day of the blacks and the day of the whites. It is the most ancient carnival in South America, its origins date back to the times of Spanish rule. Pasto is the capital of the department of Nariño, located in southwest Colombia. ... 2002(MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... January 6 is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto

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The pre-carnival

On December 28th, the Day of Innocent Saints, Colombian equivalent to the American April Fool's Day, the people of Pasto live a carnival of water which consists of a game in which everyone takes water and tries to wet their neighbors and fellow citizens by surprise in what becomes a sort of cat and mouse game. December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 3 days remaining. ... The Holy Innocents by Giotto di Bondone. ... April Fools Day or All Fools Day, though not a holiday in its own right, is a notable day celebrated in many countries on April 1. ...

The Castaneda Family

The carnival parades start on January 4th with the commemoration of the “Arrival of the Castaneda Family”. According to the oral tradition, the Castanedas were a country family that arrived in Pasto from El Encano in 1928. Some historians suggest that the Castaneda family was in reality a large family that came from Antioquia and passed by Pasto in direction to the wild lands of the east (Putumayo) for which they carried with them a paraphernalia that called the attention of the locals. Whatever the case, they are recreated in this day’s parade as a picturesque family that travels with plenty of luggage including their mattresses and kitchen utensils. The members of this family include an extravagant grandmother, a daughter with an advanced pregnancy dressed in white and ready to get married and many little naughty children, usually characterized by adults, who put their nannies into awkward situations. January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1928 was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Motto: Capital Medellín Governor Area 63,612 km² Population  - Total (2003)  - Density   5,750,478 90 people/km² Adjective antioqueño Antioquia was one of the states in the original United States of Colombia, and is now a department in the northwest part of the Republic of Colombia. ... Categories: Departments of Colombia | Stub ...

The Day of Blacks

On January 5th is the Day of Blacks, followed by the Day of Whites on January 6th. During the day of the blacks, which is believed commemorates the day in which the African slaves had a free day in which they unleashed all their happiness, people play on the streets to paint each other in black with colors and cosmetics created for this special purpose. January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... January 6 is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

The Day of Whites

On January 6th is the Day of Whites. During this day, the people of Pasto play to paint each other in white using white colors and cosmetics as well as throwing each other white powder and talcum. On the day of the whites, the final parade takes place with the presentation of floats, krewes, musical and dances groups, and people in costumes, all of them competing for the prizes. The carnival floats are works of high quality and originality elaborated by local artisans who spend the entire year preparing their carriages for this occasion. January 6 is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...