People of all races get ready for the Blacks and Whites Carnival in Pasto

Tradition, fun and joy are an integral part of the annual festival in the city of Pasto. The Blacks and Whites Carnival, a cultural and popular party in the south of Colombia, will be celebrated from January 2nd to 6th, 2010.

Declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, the carnival is a collective outpouring of emotion in which groups, bands, floats and dancers bring together the warmth and kindness of the inhabitants of Nariño's capital.

The Blacks and Whites Carnival in Pasto is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity according to UNESCO.

During the Santos Inocentes Day, December 28th, the celebrations start. It is customary for people to pay tribute to water and the environment. In the first few days of the new year a series of popular gatherings are held, full of joy, fun, imagination and the good humor innate to the people of Nariño.

The Castañeda Family Parade, the Day of Blacks and the Day of Whites are the most important events in this famous celebration in Pasto. The history of the carnival dates back to when Pasto was on the route to Peru and Ecuador and many different races and people from different towns came together here.

On top of the tradition and history, the Blacks and Whites Carnival is an excuse for everyone to unleash their joy in the street. This means that the first week often involves a lot of white talcum powder and black paint being thrown about.