How Do You Spell PALANQUERO?

1. Palanquero refers to the Afro-Colombian creole language spoken by the descendants of African slaves in the Colombian village of San Basilio de Palenque. This distinctive language is also known as "lengua" or "lengua palenquera" and is primarily used among the African-Colombian community living in Palenque, a small town located in the Bolivar region of Colombia.

   The language itself is a fusion of several African languages, as well as Spanish and Portuguese. It blends African linguistic elements with Spanish vocabulary and grammatical structure. Palanquero served as a means of communication among enslaved Africans during the colonial period, allowing them to create their own shared identity and maintain a sense of cultural belonging.

   Palanquero plays a crucial role in preserving the cultural heritage of the Palenque community. Although it has been influenced by Spanish and other languages over time, it remains a distinct creole language that reflects the historical experiences and unique linguistic development of the Afro-Colombian population in Palenque.

   In recent years, efforts have been made to preserve and promote Palanquero as an important part of Colombia's linguistic and cultural diversity. Its significance has been recognized both locally and internationally, contributing to the recognition and celebration of the cultural heritage of the African diaspora in Colombia.

The word palanquero is derived from the Spanish term palanquera. It comes from the word palanca, which means lever or handle. In Colombia, palanquera specifically refers to the women from the African diaspora in the city of Cartagena who sell tropical fruits and other goods in the streets. These women traditionally carry their products on top of their heads using a wooden lever or handle called a palanca, hence the name palanquera. Over time, the word palanquero has been adapted to refer to the dialect spoken by these women in Cartagena, known as Palenquero.