Discover the fascinating history of the Palenqueras, the iconic women of San Basilio de Palenque who became symbols of freedom and resilience in Colombia. From their origins as the first free African slaves in the Americas to their vibrant presence in the streets of Cartagena today, learn how these women transformed their heritage into a cultural legacy.
A small town, due south of Cartagena makes history
In 1691, in a small village located in the southeast of Cartagena called San Basilio de Palenque ruled entirely by escaped African slaves a treaty was signed stating the town’s independence from the Spanish colonial powers. The very first free town of the Americas was born, and therefore, the palenqueros and palenqueras became the first free men and women of the New World.
The first independent females
Although Palenque achieved what no other town, during this time, had managed to achieve, it did suffer some problems. Cut off from the rest of society and with limited access to resources, the town was extremely poor and remains so today.
Girl Power!
The women of Palenque decided to take advantage of what they had around them in in their community- fruit. The Palenqueras would fill-up their hand-woven baskets full of ripe tropical fruits, put on their traditional African dress and make the long and tiresome journey into the bustling city of Cartagena by foot.
The palenqueras sold their fruit the fruit in the hot sun to the passing Cartagena inhabitants, until they had sold all their wares. As time went by and the fruit selling became a steady source of income for San Basilio de Palenque, more and more women made the journey into the city on a daily basis. These brightly clad women, throughout history, somehow intermingled themselves into the history of Cartagena and now the magnificent Palenquera is quite possibly the biggest of all Colombian icons, embellishing the Historical Centre of Cartagena de Indias, becoming part of the landscape.
Today´s palenquera
Undoubtedly, the palenqueras have become another main attraction of the city of Cartagena. You can find them in tourist places such as the beaches, the San Felipe Castle, the Clock Tower and in the plazas and parks of the Historical Centre. Today, the palenqueras of Cartagena still wear bright, traditional clothing and sell fruit, vegetables and traditional palenque sweets to earn money to support their communities.
