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Description
In preparation for a performance, a man wears a dress and headband as he prepares to take on the role of a woman during the Carnaval de Barranquilla, celebrated in Colombia's Caribbean city of Barranquilla in Atlántico Department. As the young woman wearing a sombrero vueltiao (turned hat) and standing behind him assists with fasting the dress, he stands with his hand on his shoulder. In the background, there are two wigs hanging on the wall and a pile of dress on the left of the image. The group for which he prepared to perform, however, he is set to perform with a "Congo," a comparsa that performs the celebrated "Danza del Congo" ("Congo Dance," a dance inspired by African warrior traditions from the Congo region to the sound of Congo drums). The universal tradition of cross dressing appears in the Carnaval de Barranquilla and is perhaps the most determining aspect of the inclusive nature of the carnival. The participation of the LGBTQ is highlighted in this tradition, whose members participated by taking on the role of a woman when women’s participation was prohibited. In fact, in recent times, the LGBTQ community in Colombia organizes and executes its own carnival celebrations and also participates in the Carnaval de Barranquilla. Unfortunately, though the carnival is an inclusive celebration where the LGBTQ community’s participation has been constant and where what is considered profane is tolerated and celebrated, they have been historically marginalized and victimized by a society with deeply ingrained traditions and social prejudices. The Carnaval de Barranquilla has offered a unique opportunity for the inclusion of the LGBTQ community in Colombian society even if only temporarily, given that their open participation was officially prohibited until 1997. En preparación para una realización, un hombre lleva un vestido y pañoleta sobre el cabello mientras se prepara para realizar el rol de una mujer durante el Carnaval de Barranquilla, celebrado en la ciudad caribeña de Barranquilla ubicada en el departamento de Atlántico. Mientras la muchacha con sombrero vueltiao y parada detrás de él le ayuda a ponerse el vestido, él yace parado. Al fondo de la imagen se observan dos pelucas colgando de la pared. Aunque se desconoce para que grupo va a danzar, él se prepara para realizar la danza del congo, un baile inspirado por la cultura guerrera africana de la región del Congo al son de congas. La tradición universal del disfraz transgénero aparece en el Carnaval de Barranquilla y es quizás el aspecto más determinante de la naturaleza inclusiva del carnaval. En esta tradición destaca la participación de la comunidad LGBTQIA, cuyos miembros participaban jugando el papel de mujer cuando a las mujeres no se les permitía participar. De hecho, en tiempos recientes, la comunidad LGBTQ en Colombia organiza y ejecuta sus propas celebraciónes y también participan en el Carnaval de Barranquilla. Desafortunadamente, aunque el carnaval es una celebración inclusiva donde la comunidad LGBTQIA se ha destacado por su participación y donde lo considerado profano es tolerado y celebrado, ellos han sido históricamente marginalizados y victimizados por una sociedad arraigada en la tradición y prejuicios sociales. El Carnaval de Barranquilla ha ofrecido una oportunidad única para la inclusion de la comunidad LGBTQIA en la sociedad colombiana aunque sea sólo temporalmente, puesto que antes de 1997, su participación abierta era oficialmente prohibida.
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