Día de Negritos and Fiesta de los Blanquitos

In Popayán, Colombia, the Christmas season ends with wild festivities that take place on January 5 and 6. On January 5, known as the Día de Negritos or Day of the Black Ones, boys with black shoe polish chase girls and try to smear them with their blackened hands. There are parades in the afternoon with people in costume and chirimíasi (roving groups of musicians who play traditional Columbian music). The following day, January 6, is known as the Fiesta de los Blanquitos (Festival of the White Ones). Instead of chasing the girls with shoe polish, the boys use talcum powder and flour. Discuss

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