Day Trip: Cartagena to Planque, Columbia

My boyfriend, a filmmaker, invited me to join him on a trip to Colombia. He thought it would be good for me to see the side of the country that rarely makes it into mainstream media—especially the rich African and Indigenous history that’s often left out.

What I thought Colombia would be like didn’t match the reality I experienced.

Black Colombia.

As a Black woman with rich melanin in my skin, I noticed the stares right away. At first, I felt like an outsider. But soon, I began to understand the reason behind those lingering looks—and that’s when the journey into my roots truly began.

I was struck by how much it reminded me of my hometown of my parents in Haiti. Everywhere, hardworking people living day-to-day, the familiar hum of street life, and a rhythm in the air that felt alive.

But as I explored beyond the tourist hubs—the big hotels, the Starbucks, and the neighborhoods where you can’t even find an Uber ride home—I discovered a Colombia you don’t often see on television, in magazines, or on the big screen. I never mentioned my roots are from Haiti, and and what was brought into light is the influence that the Haitian Empire had after they gained their independence and went on to help other countries from around the world obtain their freedom as well.

Historical Tides

Palenque was founded in the early 17th century—around 1603—by escaped African slaves under the leadership of Benkos Biohó, who became known as "King Benkos"

• In 1713, the Spanish Crown formally recognized the community’s freedom, granting them autonomy over their land. This made Palenque the first free African town in the Americas

INTU22.com