Colombians are from a multiethnic Spanish speaking nation in South America called Colombia. Colombians are a mixture of Europeans, a variety of Amerindians indigenous peoples, Africans and Middle Easterners. Nearly half of Columbians are mestizo, or of mixed European and the earliest Amerindian ancestry, while more than a third are white of full European ancestry. Others are full black African or mulatto (of mixed black African and European ancestry), or of Amerindian indigenous ancestry.
While most Columbians speak Spanish, there are 80 living indigenous languages spoken by Colombians. While most early Colombian immigrants to the United States were white or mestizo, Colombians immigrating to the United States are becoming more ethnically diverse, representing the ethnic diversity of the Colombian population.
Economic problems and violence due to guerrilla warfare in Columbia have led to the immigration of Colombians to the United States, particularly in South Florida, Central Florida, New Jersey, Queens County in New York City, Philadelphia, the Washington DC metro area, eastern Long Island, and an expanding community in the Los Angeles, Houston and Atlanta areas. While Columbians initially settled in urban areas, they are increasingly migrating to suburban areas in states like New Jersey and Connecticut, as their socioeconomic status improves.
Musical styles that are enjoyed by Colombian Americans include vallenato, salsa and cumbia. The majority of Colombians are marginal Roman Catholics. Colombian food is varied due to the several distinct regions of Colombia. Popular dishes include bandeja paisa, sancocho (chicken or fish soup with plantain), empanadas (meat-filled turnovers), pandebono and pan de queso (types of cheese-bread), and arepas (corncake similar to a tortilla). The main pastime of Colombians in the United States is soccer, and most Colombian Americans raised in the United States continue to follow soccer. Another popular pastime, especially among the older generation, is parqués, a Colombian board game which is very similar to Parcheesi.
Prayer Points
Pray for the gospel to continue to spread in the Colombian community.
Pray for God to raise up Christian leaders from within the Colombian community to work in the harvest.
Pray for Christians in the Columbian community to start new churches and ministries.
Pray for Columbian Christians to catch a vision for reaching out cross-culturally to the poorly reached indigenous groups both in and from their home country.
Learning Resources
Learn more about "Learning Paths" Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.
Learn more about "Reaching the Nations" This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.
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