The Colombian Carnival Celebration You Haven’t Heard Of: La Puntica No Ma’

By Ernesto Roman on 03.25.23

The Barranquilla carnival, whose first version was in the 1880s and was influenced by the Spanish and Portuguese, is one of Colombia‘s most important folkloric events and the second largest in the world, after the world-famous celebration in Rio de Janeiro. With the slogan, “Whoever lives it is who enjoys it,” the carnival expresses Colombian culture through popular music and dance. The city shuts down to host different celebratory events, from adorned floats to people dressed in the most curious costumes of mythological beings, satirical characters, and traditional dancers who express themselves to the rhythm of cumbia, mapalé, porro, and other emblematic dances of Colombian music. In addition, the carnival is recognized as a celebration of the Catholic Church worldwide, marking the beginning of Lent.

La Puntica No Ma’, which translates to “just the tip,” is the first participating group or “comparsa” of the Barranquilla carnival presented as a collective performance and not as a sample of only one type of dance and music traditions from the Colombian coast. La Puntica, criticizing traditionalist structures, searches for sexual humor that encourages us to explore a version of ourselves without repression, including visual expression and performative dance.

Founded in 1999, this magical troupe began with a group of only ten people and today has become more than 300 “punteros” that fill the streets of Barranquilla with joy and fantasy. It’s an alternative collective formed mainly by creatives, from visual artists, photographers, and architects to DJs, film directors, and journalists, making it one of the most provocative and avant-garde groups participating in the parade. Also, unlike other comparsas built based on traditional norms and structures of the Barranquilla’s carnival institutions, La Puntica opens up as a bridge between countries as foreigners are welcome to apply and participate. An otherness makes it an influential collective.

Themes for the character’s costumes change every year, and 2023’s proposal revolved around the awakening of awareness for ecology. It was divided into five possibilities: intergalactic psilocybin, enchanted forest, exotic fruits, metallic minerals, and insects. Building on these categories, each person creates their own character concept — giving them physical and personality characteristics, including a name, to present and apply to La Puntica. Once accepted, they are guided step by step to construct and enhance their character through mentorship from recurring performers, costume workshops, makeup tutorials, Instagram live events, and finally, meeting to get to know each other.

Before the carnival’s main parade, everyone gathers at the Puntica headquarters. Then, a symphony of glitter, makeup, body paint, wigs, and crafty costume pieces starts to emerge as 300 souls get into character. At the “Batalla de Flores,” or battle of flowers, which is the main parade, different floats and groups walk and dance to the eyes of the crowds along the four kilometers of Barranquilla’s sunny Via 40. The party begins where the decorated Puntica float awaits, holding large speakers ready for a DJ — this year it was Madame Vacile and The Busy Twist — to blast music leading the group to the end of the road. This is followed by dancing under the sun until it’s time to begin. The crowd of spectators cheers and encourages you despite the heat, some urging you to show them what you’ve got. Here is where the real beauty of individual freedom and self-expression is celebrated colorfully.

Photos by: Ernesto Roman & Valerie Amor

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