Colombian Culture, Colombia Adoption and Raising Colombian Kids

Today's Myth for Monday comes from the department of Huila, but it is also a popular myth in Tolima. If you are in these areas and happen to see a parade, you will likely see someone dressed as El Poira (also knwon as El Mohán). And now, El Poira. The Poira is a short man with golden skin and long, blonde hair -- hair which can totally cover him. He often is seen wearing a hat with a broad rim. He has large hands and feet, both with long, sharp, claw-like nails. He lives in a large cave with an underwater entrance that is hidden by stagnant water. Inside his cave, he has a large stockpile of gold and treasure. He seduces young women and girls promising them the treasure (though some say he seduces them with his beautiful singing voice), either way, those who have gone with him, never return. Fisherman say he is responsible for messing up their nets and stealing the fish out of them. He also is accused of stealing the bait and scaring off the fish. (Looks like someone nee...

The PAEZ Indians of Colombia, also known as the NASA , are found in an area called Tierradentro in the Department of Cauca (today's department) and Huila. Based on their total population, they are the second largest indigenous group in Colombia with a little less than 140,000 people. In 1536, the Spanish conquistador, Sebastian del Belalcazar, tried to subdue the Paez Indians, but to no avail. Later, Belalcazar ordered the construction of a city -- San Vicente de Paez, right in the heart of Tierradentro. However, in short order, the Paez had destroyed the city. Belalcazar was reported to have said, "What we don't win with our weapons, we will win with our priests!" Indeed, the next weapon tried to pacify the Paez was the Catholic religion. However, this tactic was also unsuccessful. One priest reported, "The Paeces are the most barbarian of any people found in these new lands. They resist everything....They laugh out loud when they are taught (the catech...

Jorge Villamil Cordovez was, in 2008, recognized as a LIVING LEGEND in Colombia. He is kind of like the Frank Sinatra of the country. He was the composer of over 200 songs -- most of which were instant hits, and he died last week in Bogotá Villamil was born in El Cedral, Huila, Colombia, in 1930. He was trained and worked for many years as a doctor. In addition, he was one of Colombia's most prolific song writers and lyricists. Though ironically, he never learned to write musical notes in his life. Instead, he would memorize the melody and harmony and then play the songs. His first hit was entitled ESPUMAS and was released in 1962. You can hear it by clicking below. This song is also on the 100 Most Beautiful Songs of Colombia list from a contest held almost 2 decades ago. In 1972, Villamil left his medical practice to dedicate himself to his music. By that time, he had several Gold Records and had won many awards. During his life, he was selected by Colombia, Chile, Mexico, P...

Yesterday, I mentioned an option for not to miss cuisine -- Pollo Gritador -- Screaming Chicken. Today, I will provide the recipe so that you could try this on your next Bar-B-Q. Step #1 Take 5 pounds of chicken breast , clean and pound them so that they are even and will cook evenly. Step #2 In a food processor, mix the following. 2 large tomatoes 4 green onions 1 medium onion finely chopped 2-3 cloves of garlic 4 sprigs of cilantro -- cut off the stem 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chicken broth instant powder (I like Herb-ox my MIL uses Knorr ). Salt to taste, if necessary Once ingredients are all mixed and chopped up in the food processor, I cook them in a frying pan on medium in: 3-4 Tablespoons butter (I use regular Smart Balance instead). Cook the GUISO in the butter until everything is tender and the onions just start to brown. Take off the stove. Step #3 Fork chicken and marinate the chicken in about 2 cups of Hogao . Let the chicken marinate over night. Step #4 2 h...

The most typically food associated with the Festival de San Pedro (Festival Folclórico de Bambuco ) in Huila is the famous ASADO HUILENSE or Hulian Bar-B-Q. Though each family probably has its own take on the amount of spices and the kinds of spices used, however, the overall idea and taste of the Bar-B-Q is the same. You can use some or all of the following ingredients: Carne de cerdo -- Pork Cerveza -- Beer Spices: Ajo -- Garlic Pimentón -- Green Pepper Cebolla larga -- Green onions Laurel -- Bay leaf Tomillo -- Thyme Yerba buena -- Spearmint Albahaca -- Basil Cilantro Poleo -- Pennyroyal (a kind of mint plant) Oregano Naranja agria -- Bitter orange Nuez Moscada -- Nutmeg Canela -- Cinnamon Sal -- Salt Pimienta -- Pepper The pork is marinated in the beer/spice marinade for at least 24 hours. Then, you put it in a clay tray and place it in the oven -- they use a brick and clay oven. Look at the cool video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa9XKdoOmh0 I couldn...

The famous Colombian poet -- Rafael Pombo -- once wrote: “Para conjurar el tedio de este vivir , tan maluco , Dios me depare un bambuco y al punto , santo remedio ” which means In order to avert tedium in this life, so awful. God has sent me a bambuco and with it, a holy remedy. Most musicians, anthropologists, and historians claim that Bambuco has its roots in African mixed with Indigenous culture -- with some Spanish thrown in for good measure. Whatever its roots, however, Bambuco is a uniquely Colombian genre that has spread to other parts of South and Central America. Bambuco is most commonly associated with the following Departments of Colombia: Nariño , Cauca , Valle del Cauca , Tolima , Huila , Antioquia , Risaralda , Quindío , Cundinamarca , both Santanders , and Boyacá . While there are modern singers of Bambuco ( Conjunto Villa María , Trío Palo Santo , and Cuarto Palos ), it is typically considered to be folkloric music. It is based on 3/4 or 6/8 time, ...

In 1790, the governor of the area that is now Huila , declared a special fiesta in Honor of the King of Spain. These fiestas or "La Jura " was required to demonstrate obedience and respect to the King. Originally, the fiestas were to be held for 10 days in the month of June and corresponded with the Día de San Juan (Day of Saint John -- June 24) and that of San Pedro (Saint Peter -- June 29). In centuries past, the Día de San Juan was more celebrated by those in rural areas and the Día de San Pedro by those in the cities. In 1956, the first parade, where people dressed in traditional clothing, was organized. A few years later, in 1960, the first annual Festival Folclorico y Reinado del Bambuco was declared by a city ordinance. The festival includes competitions and prizes for the best musical groups, the best dancers, and the best floats. Of course, as with almost any Colombian festival, there is a beauty pageant where the contestants are each required to dance a ...

While the rest of Colombia calls people from Huila -- Huilenses , they call themselves Opitos . Just one of the many unique things about the people and culture of Huila . The capital of Huila is Neiva which is located about 5 hours from Bogotá . Neiva is located on the Magdalena river and is hot and humid -- with average daily temperatures ranging from 89-102 degrees. The city itself was founded on May 24, 1612, by Diego de Ospina y Medinilla , and the department of Huila was established in 1905, with Neiva as its capital. What to see in Neiva ? Parque Santander -- This is the main park in the center of town. Surrounding it are government and religious buildings. You can see the Templo Colonial or the modern catherdral . There are also shops and restaurants. Parque Isla -- This park is located on the shores of the Magdalena. You can take the Teleférico or go in a canoe to get there. It is a nature preserve where you can see birds, ride horses, fish, or kaya...