In southwestern Colombia lies Quinamayo, a small Afro-descendant town that preserves one of the country’s most unique cultural and religious traditions: celebratingChristmas in the month of February. While in much of the world the birth of Jesus is commemorated on December 25, in this corner of the Colombian Pacific the festivities are postponed by nearly two months, as a historical legacy tied to the community’s memory, resistance, and identity.
Each year, Quinamayo celebrates the birth of the Black Child Jesus (Niño Dios Negro), a representation that honors the area’s Afro-descendant roots and blends Catholic faith with local cultural expressions such as music, dance, and traditional processions. This year, the emblematic celebration takes place on February 7 and 8, when residents and visitors come together to pay tribute to the Child Jesus in a festival that reaffirms the town’s cultural pride and living history.
The origins of February Christmas in Quinamayo, Colombia
The celebration of Christmas in February in Quinamayo has its roots in slavery. During the colonial period, enslaved Afro-descendants working on plantations and estates in the region were not allowed to celebrate Christmas on December 24 and 25, as their Spanish and Creole masters did not grant them time off on those dates. It was only in February, when the workload decreased, that the enslaved people could take a break and celebrate in their own way. Over time, this custom became a deeply rooted tradition that has endured for generations.
A Christmas full of rhythm and color
What sets Christmas in Quinamayo apart is not just its unusual date but also its vibrant cultural expression. The celebration begins with a Catholic Mass, which honors the birth of Jesus with prayers and hymns. Then, the entire town fills with music, dancing, and parades led by Los Abanderados, a group of people who announce the start of the festivities with colorful flags.
One of the most anticipated moments of the celebration is the live nativity scene, where the town’s children play the roles of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the Three Wise Men, and the shepherds. This re-enactment, unlike others, is infused with elements of Afro-descendant culture, including traditional Pacific clothing, instruments, and songs. Additionally, a distinctive aspect of the celebration is that the baby Jesus is portrayed as Black, recognizing the Afro-Colombian identity of the community.
The celebration is not just a religious event but is also an opportunity to strengthen community bonds, where everyone shares and participates in the various activities.
Music, dance and food in Quinamayo’s February Christmas
Christmas in Quinamayo would not be the same without the marimba, bombo, and cununo. The community gathers in the streets to dance and celebrate to the rhythm of these traditional instruments of Afro-Colombian folklore. While music and dance are forms of festivity, they are also acts of resistance and reaffirmation of the town’s cultural identity.
As with any festivity, food also plays a central role in Quinamayo’s February Christmas. Families prepare traditional dishes such as fish sancocho, coconut rice, jaiba (crab) empanadas, and tamales, all accompanied by beverages like viche (a handcrafted alcoholic drink traditional in the Colombian Pacific) and chicha, another typical drink.
A symbol of Afro-Colombian identity
For the people of Quinamayo, this unique celebration is an act of historical remembrance that honors the struggle and resilience of their enslaved ancestors, who found in February Christmas a way to keep their beliefs and traditions alive. Today, the festival remains an important emblem of Afro-Colombian identity and a testament to the cultural legacy that persists in the Colombian Pacific.