The sights, sound and soul of Colombian carnival
- Text by Stefy Pocket
- Photography by Stefy Pocket
![The sights, sound and soul of Colombian carnival](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-12_2023-03-27-104752_zdao.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
When I arrived at 2017’s Colombia’s Barranquilla Carnival, first thing on Saturday morning, the city was deserted.
After hearing about what a huge deal the event was, I was disappointed to find such empty and silent streets. But I soon realised the reason for the abandoned city centre. Barranquilla Carnival takes over the entire city for four whole days in February each year – and throughout the festival, the whole population is either in, or watching, the parades and parties.
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 3](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-3.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
If you have been to a carnival anywhere you already know what they’re about: music, dancing, drinking and drugs. But Barranquilla’s version is bigger, louder, longer and more colourful. The beats fill the streets until sunrise. Thousands of people push, shove and elbow their way through the crowds, with men, woman and kids from all over Colombia meeting, mixing and mingling from party to party.
Barranquilla is a city built on foundations of African, European, and Middle-Eastern cultures. It’s a real cultural and musical melting pot, and this is reflected in its carnival, which mixes all these elements to create a unique blend of sights, sounds, and tastes.
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 1](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-1.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 5](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-5.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 4](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-4.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 6](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-6.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 14](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-14.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 11](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-11.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 8](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-8.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 7](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-7.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 15](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-15.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 13](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-13.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 10a](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-10a1.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![El Carnaval De Barranquilla by Stefy Pocket 9](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/El-Carnaval-De-Barranquilla-by-Stefy-Pocket-9.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
See more of Stefy Pocket’s work on her official website, or follow her on Instagram.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
![“I refuse to accept child poverty is a normal part of our society”: Apsana Begum MP on voting to scrap the cap](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/332218299_653673959895869_4114766209936780526_n_2024-07-26-125639_apuo.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
“I refuse to accept child poverty is a normal part of our society”: Apsana Begum MP on voting to scrap the cap
After seeking to “enhance” the King’s Speech by voting for the scrapping of the controversial two child benefit cap, the MP for Poplar and Limehouse lost the Labour Whip.
Written by: Apsana Begum
![Is skateboarding really a subculture anymore?](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/Huck81_Socials_HeroImage_SkateboardingIsNotASubculture_240618_V2-1.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Is skateboarding really a subculture anymore?
With skate’s inclusion in the Olympics, Kyle Beachy asks what it means for the culture around the sport, and whether it’s possible to institutionalise an artform.
Written by: Kyle Beachy
![Autism cannot be cured — stop trying](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/shutterstock_2322534063.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Autism cannot be cured — stop trying
A questionable study into the ‘reversal’ of autism does nothing but reinforce damaging stereotypes and harm, argues autistic author Jodie Hare.
Written by: Jodie Hare
![Bristol Photo Festival returns for second edition](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/Hashem-Shakeri-from-the-series-_Staring-into-the-Abyss_.-%C2%A9-Hashem-Shakeri.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Bristol Photo Festival returns for second edition
After the success of it’s inaugural run, the festival returns this autumn with exhibitions, education and community programmes exploring a world in constant motion through still image.
Written by: Ben Smoke
![Documenting the life of a New York gang leader paralysed by gun violence](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/web-Eyanna-has-always-been-Maliks-primary-caregiver.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Documenting the life of a New York gang leader paralysed by gun violence
New photobook ‘Say Less’ is a complex yet humanising look into a life wrecked by gun violence and organised crime.
Written by: Isaac Muk
![The woman who defined 80s Hip Hop photography](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/7_ULTRAMAGNETIC-MCS_NYC-1990.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
The woman who defined 80s Hip Hop photography
A new exhibition brings together Janette Beckman’s visionary and boundary pushing images of an era of cultural change and moral panic.
Written by: Miss Rosen