Afrocolombiano

Afrocolombiano is a term used in Colombia to describe a person of African descent. It encompasses people whose ancestry traces back to the African diaspora, including descendants of enslaved Africans brought to the territory during the colonial period. The term is used in everyday language as well as in official contexts to refer to Afro-Colombian communities and individuals.

Afro-Colombians are concentrated along the country's Pacific coast, notably in Chocó Department, and along parts of the Caribbean coast such as Atlántico and Bolívar, with substantial urban communities in Cali, Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena. A unique Afro-Colombian community speaks Palenquero, a Spanish-based creole language, in San Basilio de Palenque near Cartagena.

Cultural contributions include music and dance such as currulao, cumbia, mapalé, and the distinctive traditions of Palenqueros. Afro-Colombian cuisine features elements of African, Indigenous, and Caribbean influences. Festivals and religious practices often blend Catholic rites with African-derived ceremonies.

Historically marginalized, Afro-Colombians have fought for recognition of ethnic rights, including collective land titles under Ley 70 of 1993 and constitutional protections for ethnic groups established in the 1991 Constitution. Issues remain, including poverty, unequal access to education and health, and political representation, although various programs aim to promote inclusion and cultural preservation.