To call it a carnival would be an injustice to the peoples of the Chocó who every September celebrate the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi with a colourful street parade in their capital, Quibdó. Unique to the Afro-Colombian communities of the region the Fiestas Patronales de San Francisco de Asís were first celebrated in 1648 for the founding of the San Francisco de Asís church which overlooked the meandering Atrato River and a remote Catholic mission in the heart of the Pacific jungle. Months from Lent and a world removed from the dunces and damsels of the Spanish theatre, the festival of “San Pacho” is undoubtedly one of Colombia’s most unique events; held outdoors and bringing together communities around the charity of the festival’s founder – Franciscan friar Matia Abad, as well as their African traditions of their ancestors. With wicker baskets as headdress and women parading through the 12 barrios in flowing dresses emblazoned with tropical fruits, Colombian photographers of the Colectivo + Uno agency captured beautiful images of this centuries old event and which last year made UNESCO’s “Intangible Cultural Heritages” list.
