More than a festival, it is an encounter with the soul of the Colombian Pacific.
Since 2014, the Marimba and Beach Folklore Festival has brought together music, dance, tradition, and community in a unique setting: Juanchaco and Bahía Málaga. Here, culture is lived, sung, and danced.
Tradition and Evolution
Our story, our path
Since 2014, the Marimba and Beach Folklore Festival has been the major cultural and tourism event for Juanchaco and Bahía Málaga. It began as a dream of the Cultura Ancestral Foundation to safeguard and raise the profile of the Afro-Colombian traditions of the South Pacific, and today it is recognized in the Buenaventura Tourism Master Plan.
Over its more than ten editions, the festival has grown in terms of participation, impact, and reach:
- It has brought together more than 2,000 artists, including musicians, dancers, and storytellers.
- They have conducted over 80 workshops on music, dance, gastronomy, midwifery, and viche.
- It has strengthened ventures, 90% of which are led by women.
- It has directly benefited five ethnic communities and boosted sustainable tourism in the region.
Evolution and work behind the festival
More than just an event, the festival is a year-long process. The organization brings together music and dance groups, independent artists, cultural managers, educators, and communities, working on:
- Education in cultural values and intangible heritage.
- Spaces for reflection and dialogue on the safeguarding of traditions.
- Artistic creation workshops and discussions on traditional medicine, gastronomy, and oral tradition.
- Actions to promote ecotourism and nature conservation, including responsible humpback whale watching.
Legacy in Motion
2014
A dream is born
The Cultura Ancestral Foundation created the Marimba and Beach Folklore Festival to safeguard and raise the profile of the cultural heritage of the South Pacific.
2015
First steps
The initial marimba, dance, and gastronomy workshops are becoming established, and community participation is being strengthened.
2016
Participation is growing
Groups from additional Pacific regions are arriving, and the artistic programming on the beach is being expanded.
2017
Local recognition
The festival positions itself as the most important cultural event in the Bahía Málaga maritime area.
2018
Social impact
Women's entrepreneurial participation is increasing, with female leadership reaching 90% in the local market.
2019
National reach
Greater media presence and attraction of visitors from various regions of Colombia.
2021
A strong comeback
Full reactivation of the festival; over 4,200 attendees and workshops for children, young people, and adults.
2022
Tourism and culture united
Alliances with tour operators and hotels are being strengthened; the festival incorporates cultural and ecotourism routes.
2023
Official recognition
Included in the Buenaventura Tourism Master Plan as the district's main cultural and tourism event.
2024
Attendance record
With over 5,600 visitors, 200 artists, and 80 workshops, it has established itself as a must-attend event in the Pacific region.
2025
11th edition and international reach
The call for artistic submissions, strategic partnerships, and international outreach are expanding to bring the Colombian Pacific to the world.
What drives us
The Marimba and Beach Folklore Festival is a vibrant space for encounter, safeguarding, and cultural promotion of the Colombian Pacific.