WAY OF LIFE

The city people generally live better

because the cities contain schools,
medical facilities, and activities.
Usually, the middle and working
classes live in the cities while the less
fortunate people live in more rural
areas. The middle class jobs include
business men and lawyers of that sort
while the working class jobs include
teachers, waiters, and shop owners.
A vast majority of the adults in
Colombia can read and write, rural
children often do no meet
requirements because the schools of
their area do not offer enough
grades.
 FOOD
Different regions have different
dishes like soups and stew such as
"ajiaco" which contents include
corn, chicken, potatoes, and
cassava, a root crop used to make
tapioca among other things. Starch-
like foods are preferred among
most people including potatoes,
noodles, and rice. Unfortunate
citizens have a different ration of
meat, fruits, and vegetables. "Agua
de Panela" is a common drink which
is brown sugar dissolved in water.
 CULTURE

The joyous, colourful cultural

heritage of the Colombian
people is visible in festivals and
carnivals where music plays a
leading role. Our roots are also
reflected in crafts and
archaeological sites, as well as
paintings and sculptures by great
artists.
 MUSIC
The joy of Colombians is well
reflected in its music. Rhythm is in our
blood, especially in the Caribbean
and Pacific coastal regions. This
rhythm, fundamental to Atlantic
coast music, is the most
representative of
Colombia in the world. It is played
with bagpipes, drums, maracas and
a guacharaca (a percussion
instrument).
 Health: "Traditional
‘grandmother’
remedies“
Traditional remedies are commonly
used, particularly in rural and remote
areas. Many forms of traditional
medicine rely on indigenous plants.
Traditional healers called Taitas from
the yagé culture have tried to
maintain their indigenous medical
practices. In recognition of the
importance of the plants used in
traditional medicine, those healers
have attempted to preserve the
forest in the Amazonian region.
 THE POT GATHERING

One important custom or tradition in

Colombian culture, which is particularly
popular in rural areas is the ‘Pot
Gathering’. This much-loved ritual
encourages Colombian families to gather
beside their local river, and share the
traditional Colombian dish: sancocho This
typical stew mixes chicken, pork or beef
rib with plantain, potato, corn-on-the-con,
cassava, tomato and cilantro, served with
rice and avocado. The purpose of the
‘Pot Gathering’ picnic is to reunite family
and friends to share their successes,
celebrate special occasions or just have
an excuse to bring everyone together.