VISIT THE VILLAGE OF PALENQUE
Founded by escaped slaves during the 17th Century, this tiny village was heritage listed by UNESCO in 2005 due to its strong African linguistic, musical and cultural traditions. It is considered the first free town in the Americas and is definitely worth a visit in order to gain a fuller picture of Cartagena, the history of slavery in Colombia and Latin America and to observe a community where Afro-roots and traditions have been preserved and maintained including a distinct creole language (Palenquero), folkloric dance, cuisine, dress, hairstyles, political organisation and social structure.
Escaping after apparently awkwardly knocking up the Governor's wife, leader Benkos Bioho led a group of other fleeing ensalved people on the long walk from Cartagena to establish this palenque (walled town) at the foothills of Montes de María. In the following century many palenques were established throughout Latin America, as escaping and freed slaves sought refuge and a place to live in the same manner as they and their ancestors lived in Africa. Now, the Palenque de San Basilio is the only surviving palenque and continues to be home to about 3,500 residents who are direct descendants from those original African slaves. The town's most active ambassadors are the colourfully frocked Palenqueras who trudge the calles of Cartagena and the beaches of Bocagrande with giant silver bowls on their heads selling tropical fruits and traditional sweets (try the enyucado! Delicious!) and earning money to support themselves and the community.
Located about one and a half hours south of Cartagena, the best way to see Palenque is by taking a tour with a local guide who will grant you access to the people and places of this close-knit community in a way that just isn't possible on your own. Reservations are essential so send an email enquiry now and we'll tee everything up!
Palenque Tour
The Palenque tour needs a minimum of 2 people because we need to hire a car to take us there (transport is the most expensive element of the tour). We usually keep groups small, and it will be most likely that it will just be you and whoever else you are booking for joining on your particular day, but if others book for the same day we reserve the right to combine bookings.
There are 3 tours to choose from. All cost the same price $100 pp.
For all tours we start by meeting at your hotel or accommodation at 9am and taking the private car ride to Palenque. The ride takes about 1 hour. We will be received in the local Palenquero language at the main square and then you will proceed with whichever tour option you prefer:
Escaping after apparently awkwardly knocking up the Governor's wife, leader Benkos Bioho led a group of other fleeing ensalved people on the long walk from Cartagena to establish this palenque (walled town) at the foothills of Montes de María. In the following century many palenques were established throughout Latin America, as escaping and freed slaves sought refuge and a place to live in the same manner as they and their ancestors lived in Africa. Now, the Palenque de San Basilio is the only surviving palenque and continues to be home to about 3,500 residents who are direct descendants from those original African slaves. The town's most active ambassadors are the colourfully frocked Palenqueras who trudge the calles of Cartagena and the beaches of Bocagrande with giant silver bowls on their heads selling tropical fruits and traditional sweets (try the enyucado! Delicious!) and earning money to support themselves and the community.
Located about one and a half hours south of Cartagena, the best way to see Palenque is by taking a tour with a local guide who will grant you access to the people and places of this close-knit community in a way that just isn't possible on your own. Reservations are essential so send an email enquiry now and we'll tee everything up!
Palenque Tour
The Palenque tour needs a minimum of 2 people because we need to hire a car to take us there (transport is the most expensive element of the tour). We usually keep groups small, and it will be most likely that it will just be you and whoever else you are booking for joining on your particular day, but if others book for the same day we reserve the right to combine bookings.
There are 3 tours to choose from. All cost the same price $100 pp.
For all tours we start by meeting at your hotel or accommodation at 9am and taking the private car ride to Palenque. The ride takes about 1 hour. We will be received in the local Palenquero language at the main square and then you will proceed with whichever tour option you prefer:
TOUR 1 - HORSE TOUR
For this tour you will have the opportunity to ride horses and travel greater distances through the town and surrounds. You will ride through the town, along and through the revered local brook, all the way to visit the agricultural plots which are the sustenance of the community. Learn about the vital importance of agriculture, what crops are cultivated, and what products are created from the raw ingredients. Refresh by chewing your own freshly gut sugar cane. Test your strength to see if you can pull out your own yuca plant. Maybe shake down your own mangos from the abundant tree.
Next visit the traditional "bareke village". In this original settlement, Palenqueros constructed houses from manure and mud. This village is no longer inhabited, but it has been preserved as a reminder and because it is an area of great importance and power for the community.
Returning to the town, keen boxers might want to get some pointers from local boxing experts. Learn of the importance of boxing to the community and follow in the footsteps of World Boxing Hall of Famer, Antonio Cevantes "Kid Pambele".
Enjoy a traditional local lunch of fish, chicken or pork (vegetarian option would be lentils).
Add on options (depending on if you have time) might include visiting local hairsalon to learn about history of braids and have braids done, a visit to the traditional medicine man and/or boxing as mentioned above.
Return to Cartagena.
Total time including transport - roughly 6 hours.
Total time including transport: roughly 6 hours.
Price: $100
Recommendations: Bring sun protection, closed-toe shoes for horses, dress for hot weather and horses, bring extra money to support the community with purchases such as local sweets, musical CDs, getting hair braided, buying extra drinks etc
For this tour you will have the opportunity to ride horses and travel greater distances through the town and surrounds. You will ride through the town, along and through the revered local brook, all the way to visit the agricultural plots which are the sustenance of the community. Learn about the vital importance of agriculture, what crops are cultivated, and what products are created from the raw ingredients. Refresh by chewing your own freshly gut sugar cane. Test your strength to see if you can pull out your own yuca plant. Maybe shake down your own mangos from the abundant tree.
Next visit the traditional "bareke village". In this original settlement, Palenqueros constructed houses from manure and mud. This village is no longer inhabited, but it has been preserved as a reminder and because it is an area of great importance and power for the community.
Returning to the town, keen boxers might want to get some pointers from local boxing experts. Learn of the importance of boxing to the community and follow in the footsteps of World Boxing Hall of Famer, Antonio Cevantes "Kid Pambele".
Enjoy a traditional local lunch of fish, chicken or pork (vegetarian option would be lentils).
Add on options (depending on if you have time) might include visiting local hairsalon to learn about history of braids and have braids done, a visit to the traditional medicine man and/or boxing as mentioned above.
Return to Cartagena.
Total time including transport - roughly 6 hours.
Total time including transport: roughly 6 hours.
Price: $100
Recommendations: Bring sun protection, closed-toe shoes for horses, dress for hot weather and horses, bring extra money to support the community with purchases such as local sweets, musical CDs, getting hair braided, buying extra drinks etc
TOUR 2 - RUTA DE LA LIBERTAD (FREEDOM PATH)
This tour is a little of everything focused on moving through key sites in the town of Palenque, while certified local guide uses storytelling to connect with the history and heritage of this revolutionary people. Some of the topics covered include:
As with all tours, you will enjoy a traditional local lunch of fish, chicken or pork (vegetarian option would be lentils). Before returning to Cartagena.
Departure time: 9am
Total time including transport: roughly 6 hours.
Price: $100
Recommendations: Bring sun protection, dress for hot weather and walking, bring extra money to support the community with purchases such as local sweets, musical CDs, getting hair braided, buying extra drinks etc
This tour is a little of everything focused on moving through key sites in the town of Palenque, while certified local guide uses storytelling to connect with the history and heritage of this revolutionary people. Some of the topics covered include:
- Biography of Benkos Bioho.
- Catholic church and its relationship with the locals.
- Palenque's Typical Braids and Hairstyle Salon.
- "The Middle of the Town" and its History.
- The first Colombian cinema actor who performed alongside Marlon Brando in 1969's Quemada movie.
- The best Colombian boxer in our history and his importance for the people of Palenque.
- Musical and dance performance.
- Typical Palenque's sweets.
- Culture House.
- Palenque's brook.
As with all tours, you will enjoy a traditional local lunch of fish, chicken or pork (vegetarian option would be lentils). Before returning to Cartagena.
Departure time: 9am
Total time including transport: roughly 6 hours.
Price: $100
Recommendations: Bring sun protection, dress for hot weather and walking, bring extra money to support the community with purchases such as local sweets, musical CDs, getting hair braided, buying extra drinks etc
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TOUR 3: MUSIC AND DANCE
This tour focuses on a tour through the musical styles and history of Palenque - declared a UNESCO site for its Oral and Intangible Heritage. Music plays a role in all moments in the daily life of the Palenquero population, including funeral rituals, recreation and play, to spirituality. Music is an up-to-date expression of current reality, and palenque musicians act as social commentators, communicating melodic messages that narrate the functions, customs and history of the community.
In this tour you will be guided through various musical traditions including bullerrengue, la chalupa, la chalusonga, el son de negro, canto de lumbalu, el son palenquero, el rap folklorico.
You will have the opportunity to participate in various activities to help you connect with the musical traditions inherited from Africa including music workshop through various instruments, drumming workshop, musical masters presentation, dance workshop.
You will also enjoy musical and dance presesentations.
Lunch will be traditional dishes of fish, chicken or pork - recipes that feature in Palenque's own cookbook which proudly won "best cookbook in the world" in 2013.
After lunch, return to Cartagena.
This tour focuses on a tour through the musical styles and history of Palenque - declared a UNESCO site for its Oral and Intangible Heritage. Music plays a role in all moments in the daily life of the Palenquero population, including funeral rituals, recreation and play, to spirituality. Music is an up-to-date expression of current reality, and palenque musicians act as social commentators, communicating melodic messages that narrate the functions, customs and history of the community.
In this tour you will be guided through various musical traditions including bullerrengue, la chalupa, la chalusonga, el son de negro, canto de lumbalu, el son palenquero, el rap folklorico.
You will have the opportunity to participate in various activities to help you connect with the musical traditions inherited from Africa including music workshop through various instruments, drumming workshop, musical masters presentation, dance workshop.
You will also enjoy musical and dance presesentations.
Lunch will be traditional dishes of fish, chicken or pork - recipes that feature in Palenque's own cookbook which proudly won "best cookbook in the world" in 2013.
After lunch, return to Cartagena.
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