The Basque Diaspora in Colombia
Basque immigration to Colombia occurred in two stages: during the conquest and in the late 19th century. Their influence is especially notable in Antioquia.
The history of Basque immigration to Colombia has two main episodes: the conquest of Colombia (1499–1550) and the civil conflicts in Spain from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.
The first immigration occurred due to the arrival of the Spanish to Colombian lands during the time of discovery and conquest. The second wave of immigration happened due to civil conflicts in Spain that generated a new Basque diaspora towards our country.
Antioquia and the Basque community
Upon arriving in the country, the Basque diaspora in Colombia especially populated Antioquia and the Coffee Axis, creating a culture with a very important influence from the traditions and customs of the Basque Country in Spain. This influence has prevailed over time and is still very noticeable today in the Paisa culture.
Some of the most notable influences of the Basque diaspora in Colombia are:
- The trovas
- The Paisa accent
- The Basque talo, very similar to the Colombian arepa
- The custom of consuming pork meat
- Beans with rice, the basis of the Paisa platter
- The typical Antioquian houses, very similar to those of the Basque Country in their architecture
- The typical male attire: white suit, espadrilles, and red scarves around the neck
Today, it is estimated that 40% of the inhabitants of Antioquia are of Basque descent, which makes this region the place with the highest concentration of Basque descendants in the world, with approximately 2,800,000 people.
Other regions with Basque settlements
Some Basque historians have assured that in Colombia there are more than 3,500 Basque surnames, which shows the great influence of this community in the country. Other regions where communities from the Basque Country migrated to include Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Santander, and the northeast of the Caribbean Region.
Currently, the government of Euskadi maintains close relations with Colombia and has created institutions such as The Basque Center Foundation Euskal Etxea of Bogotá, the Basque Studies Center of Antioquia, and the Basque House of Antioquia, located in Medellín.