Social life revolves around food, specifically the almuerzo (lunch). Sunday lunch is sacred. It is not a quick bite; it is an hours-long event involving sancocho (a hearty stew), rice, avocado, and protein. For a little girl, this is where she learns to socialize. She sits at the adult table, listening to the boisterous stories, the gossip, and the debates, learning how to hold her own in conversation.
In December, her world transforms with the Novenas de Aguinaldos. These are nine days of prayer and singing leading up to Christmas. For a girl, this is magical. She dresses up, practices carols (villancicos), and perhaps performs a skit. It is a blend of religious solemnity and childhood fun, involving sparklers (luces de bengala) and too many sweets.
The day often starts early, with the smell of arepas (corn cakes) or calentado (leftover rice and beans with eggs) for breakfast. Lunch (el almuerzo) is the main meal, typically eaten at home with family around midday. A common plate includes beans, rice, plantains, meat or chicken, and soup. Afternoon onces (a light snack, similar to tea time) is a social ritual, often with hot chocolate and bread or cheese.
Every afternoon, as a little girl growing up in Colombia, the street became a stage. The barrio (neighborhood) was an extension of the living room. We played escondidas (hide and seek) until the streetlights flickered on, and we jumped triple (jump rope) while singing clapping rhymes that varied from one block to the next.
The music was omnipresent. From the open windows of tiendas (corner stores), Carlos Vives or Shakira (pre-global megastardom) spilled onto the pavement. On weekends, there was la plancha—the moment when Dad pulled out the ancient vinyl record of Diomedes Díaz. As a little girl growing up in Colombia, you didn’t just listen to vallenato; you felt it in your bones. You learned to dance cumbia with your cousins, swaying your skirt in a circle to mimic the flowing river. You learned that rhythm is not a skill; it is an inheritance.
Historically, Colombian culture has been somewhat conservative regarding gender roles. A girl might be encouraged to help in the kitchen while her brothers play outside, and she may be chaperoned more closely.
However, modern Colombia is dynamic. Today, a girl growing up in Bogotá or Medellín is just as likely to be enrolled in soccer (fútbol) as she is in ballet. The rise of Colombian women in politics, science, and the arts has shifted the narrative. Parents increasingly encourage their daughters to be independent, educated, and bold. The traditional protective nature of the Colombian father ("el papá que da la mano") is evolving into one of support for his daughter's ambitions.
To grow up female in Colombia is to inherit a legacy of berraquera—a word that means toughness, gumption, and the refusal to quit. You look at your mother, who can cook a feast for twenty, negotiate prices with a truck driver, and do her makeup in a five-minute taxi ride. You look at the vendedoras ambulantes (street vendors) carrying fifty pounds of fruit on their heads, walking barefoot in the rain, laughing.
As a little girl growing up in Colombia, you internalize that you are made of the same stuff as the mountains (the Andes) and the same flow as the rivers (the Amazon). You are a product of mestizaje—the mixing of Indigenous endurance, Spanish structure, and African rhythm.
As a little girl growing up in Colombia, your day never begins with an alarm clock. It begins with the tierra (earth). If you lived in the Eje Cafetero (Coffee Axis), you woke to the smell of wet soil and parchment coffee drying on clay patios. In the bustling capital of Bogotá, you woke to the tiple (a small guitar-like instrument) of a street vendor selling pan de yuca or almojábanas.
Breakfast was a ritual of efficiency and love. My mother would slice a arepa—crunchy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside—and top it with hogao (a slow-cooked tomato and onion sauce) or a crumble of suero costeño. As a little girl growing up in Colombia, you learned quickly that food is the love language. A bandeja paisa wasn't just a plate; it was a declaration of abundance: beans, rice, chicharrón, avocado, fried egg, and plantain all fighting for space on a single platter.
Weekends often mean leaving the city for the finca (a countryside farm or vacation home). For a little girl, the finca is a place of freedom. It is where she trades her school shoes for rubber boots to walk through mud, pick fresh mandarins from trees, or chase chickens.
The soundtrack to this childhood is distinct. It isn't silence. It is the blare of Vallenato or Cumbia from a speaker that seems to be always on. It is the sound of her mother or grandmother shouting from the kitchen, calling the family to eat. It is the roar of the river and the distant sound of a neighbor’s horse. She learns to love the outdoors not as a pristine playground, but as a wild, living part of her heritage.
To have grown up as a little girl growing up in Colombia is to carry a dual citizenship for life: one for the country on the map, and one for the country inside your bones. It is to know that joy and sorrow are not opposites but dance partners. It is to understand that the most revolutionary act is to laugh with your whole body after crying with your whole soul. as a little girl growing up in colombia
So if you meet a Colombian woman today—if she offers you coffee even if you said no, if she talks about her mom like she’s a saint, if she tears up at the sound of a tiple—now you know why. She was that little girl once.
And in many ways, she still is.
¿Tienes tu propia historia de crecer en Colombia? Compártela en los comentarios.
Growing up as a girl in involves navigating a culture that deeply values family and tradition while gradually embracing modern roles for women. This experience is often characterized by a strong sense of community, the influence of a protective family structure, and the backdrop of a country with a complex social history. Core Cultural and Family Dynamics
Family is the fundamental unit of Colombian society, and girls are typically raised with a focus on three pillars: respeto (respect), educación (education), and cohesión familiar (family cohesion).
The Mother’s Role: Colombian family life often revolves around the mother, who is frequently the primary caregiver and emotional anchor. Girls observe mothers who are expected to balance household management, career, and a societal pressure to maintain a "perfect" appearance.
Socialization Norms: Historically, there has been a distinction between the "home" (la casa) for women and the "street" (la calle) for men. While teenage boys might spend more time socializing outdoors through sports, girls have traditionally been expected to help with household chores before socializing.
Machismo and Gender Roles: A culture of machismo can still be felt, where men are often viewed as the primary breadwinners and disciplinarians. However, this is evolving, and many girls are now taught to be independent, assertive, and capable of standing up for themselves. Education and Modern Opportunities
Recent decades have seen significant progress for girls in Colombia, with higher rates of school attendance and a greater sense of self-assurance among younger generations.
Self-Assurance: Observers note that 11- and 12-year-old girls today often display a high level of confidence and exuberance regarding their future opportunities.
Avenues for Success: Many Colombian women have transitioned from these roots to achieve global recognition, such as NASA aerospace engineer Diana Trujillo, who grew up in Cali, and professional athlete Camila Osorio, who pursued tennis in a family of soccer players. Challenges and Social Realities
Growing up in Colombia also means confronting specific social challenges that vary by region and socioeconomic status. Choosing tennis has been no 'mistake' for Colombia's Osorio
Growing up as a girl in is a journey shaped by deep-rooted family traditions, a vibrant culture of celebration, and a resilient spirit often called "realismo mágico" Social life revolves around food, specifically the almuerzo
. While individual experiences vary significantly between urban centers like Bogotá and rural areas, several core themes define a Colombian girlhood. 1. Family and Community Ties
Family is the cornerstone of life. Colombian parents typically prioritize togetherness
, with extended family members—grandparents, aunts, and uncles—playing active roles in a girl's upbringing. Respect and Values : There is a strong emphasis on manners, with phrases like "por favor" "con gusto" being taught early as essential signs of respect. Care and Caution
: Growing up, girls are often taught to be careful and diligent, traits that come naturally in many traditional communities, such as the pot-making children of Ráquira. 2. Traditions and Celebrations
The calendar is marked by events where children are the center of attention. Little Candles' Day ( Día de las Velitas
: On December 7th and 8th, girls join their families to light colorful candles on sidewalks and balconies to honor the Virgin Mary, a tradition that signals the start of the holiday season. El Niño Dios
: Unlike many cultures focused on Santa Claus, Colombian girls traditionally wait for "Baby Jesus" to bring gifts at midnight on December 24th. Cultural Milestones
: Annual milestones like New Year's Eve are celebrated with specific rituals, such as wearing yellow for good luck. 3. Food and Flavors
Childhood memories are often tied to specific "comfort foods" that are staples in Colombian households: Sweet and Savory
: It is common for children to grow up eating fruit with savory meals, such as stewed meat with bananas on the side. Local Staples : Daily life often includes traditional snacks like (cheese fritters), The "Diminutive" Culture
: Food is often described affectionately in the diminutive—like an aguardientico —reflecting a cultural warmth. 4. Educational and Social Realities
Growing up as a girl in often means being immersed in a culture that blends deep-rooted family traditions with a vibrant, modern lifestyle. Key Cultural Milestones
Quinceañera (15th Birthday): A pivotal transition from childhood to womanhood. Girls often wear pastel or light-colored evening gowns, tiaras, and jewels for a grand celebration that includes a formal waltz with fathers and godparents, followed by a lively "hora loca" (crazy hour) with masks and fast-tempo music. ¿Tienes tu propia historia de crecer en Colombia
First Communion: A significant religious and social milestone, often celebrated with formal white dresses and large family gatherings. Daily Life and Interests
Growing up as a girl in is a journey marked by the vibrant warmth of close-knit family traditions and a rich cultural tapestry, often set against a backdrop of significant social resilience and change The Heart of the Home: Family and Food
Childhood for many Colombian girls centers on the domestic sphere, where multigenerational living is common. Matriarchal Influence
: Mothers and grandmothers often serve as the emotional anchors of the family. Girls frequently spend time in the kitchen learning to prepare staples like (stew), and Daily Rituals
: Life often includes waking up early for school (often around 5:00 or 6:00 AM) and returning for a heavy, shared family lunch, which is considered the most important meal. Social Connection
: The act of eating is deeply tied to emotional nourishing; to reject a meal from a grandmother is often seen as a significant social slight. Cultural Traditions and Celebrations
Colombian girls grow up immersed in a cycle of colorful religious and regional festivals: Growing Up In Colombia - 585 Words - Bartleby.com
Growing up in Colombia meant my world was painted in the brightest colors and soundtracked by the constant hum of life.
I remember waking up to the smell of arepas on the grill and the rhythmic clack-clack of my grandmother’s dominoes on the patio. My childhood was a blur of chasing the raspado cart on humid afternoons, the icy blackberry syrup staining my tongue purple, and learning to dance salsa in the living room before I could even properly tie my shoes.
Sundays were for the mountains—long drives through winding roads where the air turned crisp and the green of the hills felt deep enough to drown in. We’d stop for hot chocolate with melted cheese, a salty-sweet ritual that felt like home in a cup. There was a magic in the chaos: the neighbors shouting greetings across balconies, the sudden tropical downpours that turned the streets into rivers, and the fierce, unwavering pride of a people who find a reason to celebrate in every single day.
Growing up as a girl in Colombia is a sensory-rich journey where the boundaries between home, family, and celebration are beautifully blurred. It is a childhood built on the pillars of respeto (respect), educación (education), and an unshakable cohesión familiar (family cohesion). The Rhythm of the Home
Life often centers around a matriarchal heartbeat. Mothers and grandmothers are the primary nurturers, filling homes with the scent of home-cooked meals and passing down the secrets of traditional dishes like sancocho or empanadas. For a girl, daily life often starts early—sometimes as early as 5:30 a.m. to beat the traffic of cities like Bogotá, where school buses arrive before the sun is fully up.
Cultural differences: what is a typical Colombian family like?