Black Day, observed on January 5 in Pasto's Blacks and Whites Carnival, commemorates a brief respite of freedom granted to enslaved people during the Spanish colonial era. This tradition emerged from claims and resistances against slavery, linked to King Melchor. Over time, it became part of the carnival through dances, drums, and the game of painting faces with charcoal.
Black Day in Pasto's Blacks and Whites Carnival has deep roots in colonial slavery history. Observed each January 5, this date commemorates the “day of pardon” or “rest day for blacks,” a concession from the Spanish Crown in response to slaves' claims, resistances, and uprisings under extreme conditions. This day was granted on the eve of Epiphany and linked to King Melchor, recognized as the black king.
According to research cited by Corpocarnaval, upon hearing the news, slaves took to the streets to dance, play drums, and paint their faces with charcoal. This practice extended to others, including whites, as a way to share the celebration without colonial social divisions. Researcher Germán Zarama notes that this act temporarily broke the slavery routine.
The tradition also connects to escaped slaves who formed palenques, free black settlements in remote areas of northern Nariño, near Cumbal hill, routes to the Chota valley, and old haciendas. Over time, these expressions integrated into the carnival: the use of black cosmetics, participant contact, and the “little paint game” became fixtures on January 5.
Historian Lydia Inés Muñoz Cordero explains that this game enables direct encounters among people, leaving no one out and placing the individual in the background. Elements like music, masks, and dances, present in Pasto since the 17th century, and the chirimía in comparsas, reflect a blend of African, indigenous, and European contributions.
While the blackface game was practiced in cities like Popayán from the 19th century, it gained greater strength in Pasto during the 20th century and spread to other Nariño municipalities. Thus, Black Day is not just a festival but a reminder of the carnival's Afro origins and the enduring meaning of that day of freedom.
