Black Baby Jesus was Born in February

During Colombia’s slave trade, the ancestors of Quinamayó were stripped of their African cultural expressions due to Catholic and Spanish campaigns. Forced to abandon their beliefs, they reinterpreted Western traditions, such as Christmas, to assert their dignity.

This led to the unique celebration of the Black Baby Jesus, held 40 days after the traditional Christmas, symbolizing the Virgin Mary’s postpartum rest. For Quinamayó, an Afro-Colombian community in Valle del Cauca, the true Christmas occurs in mid-February.

The four-day festivities begin with a cultural and musical gathering of Afro-Colombian communities, with the second one as the most important as it features a procession honoring the Black Baby Jesus, with children dressed as biblical figures.

This celebration exemplifies syncretism, blending African traditions with Catholic symbolism to create new cultural expressions. For Quinamayó, it has been a vital act of resistance against cultural erasure and preserving their identity. Having escaped enslavement, their ancestors found sanctuary in this community, fostering a tradition that continues to honor their shared history and resilience.

Jaír F. Coll

Jaír F. Coll (1997) is a Colombian visual journalist whose work focuses on culture as a factor of social transformation. His photography, both intimate and colorful, has been exhibited at the Photo Vogue Festival 2021 and was selected in the ninth edition of the New York Portfolio Review. Based in the city of Cali, Coll's work explores the universal themes of cultural identity and spirituality. He has worked with international media like The New York Times, NPR, The Guardian, Bloomberg, Reuters, among others.