As A Little Girl Growing Up In Colombia Jun 2026

by Ingrid Rojas Contreras: This novel portrays the 1990s period of violence in Bogotá through the eyes of Chula, a privileged young girl, and Petrona, a teenager from a neighborhood affected by guerrilla activity. Fiebre Tropical

Recent decades have seen significant progress for girls in Colombia, with higher rates of school attendance and a greater sense of self-assurance among younger generations.

As I grew older, I began to realize that there was a world beyond Colombia. I started to dream of exploring other countries and cultures, and I knew that I wanted to experience life outside of my hometown. When I finally left Colombia to study abroad, I felt a mix of emotions: excitement for the adventures ahead, but also sadness at leaving behind my family, friends, and the only home I had ever known. as a little girl growing up in colombia

Food is the ultimate love language in Colombia. A little girl growing up in a Colombian household often spends time in the kitchen alongside her mother, abuela (grandmother), or tías (aunts), passing down secret recipes for empanadas, buñuelos , and hot chocolate served with a slice of cheese.

, with extended family members—grandparents, aunts, and uncles—playing active roles in a girl's upbringing. Respect and Values : There is a strong emphasis on manners, with phrases like "por favor" "con gusto" being taught early as essential signs of respect. Care and Caution by Ingrid Rojas Contreras: This novel portrays the

The music was omnipresent. From the open windows of tiendas (corner stores), Carlos Vives or Shakira (pre-global megastardom) spilled onto the pavement. On weekends, there was la plancha —the moment when Dad pulled out the ancient vinyl record of Diomedes Díaz . you didn’t just listen to vallenato ; you felt it in your bones. You learned to dance cumbia with your cousins, swaying your skirt in a circle to mimic the flowing river. You learned that rhythm is not a skill; it is an inheritance.

What of Colombia (e.g., the Caribbean coast, Bogotá, the Coffee Region) do you want to focus on? I started to dream of exploring other countries

: A fundamental pillar, particularly towards elders. Children are taught formal manners ( buenos modales ) early on, including using polite forms of address.

You learned that life is fragile. You learned this at the velorio (wake) of a cousin, where the family gathered not just to cry, but to sing and drink coffee and tell jokes about the deceased. you learned that joy and grief are not opposites; they are two sides of the same shiny peso coin.

As a little girl, you quickly learn the concept of resilience. You learn to navigate the world with a sharp awareness, guided by the common Colombian phrase, "No dar papaya" (essentially, do not let your guard down or invite trouble).

María Isabel Rueda is a writer from Manizales, Colombia, now based in New York. She is working on a memoir about the geometry of survival.