The Mango Man

Most people associate cultural norms to an entire country, disregarding the fact that interior regions obtain different traditions relative to environment. Colombia is considered the second most biodiverse country in the world. Containing many different species of plants and animals, it is hard to imagine that people scattered across this wonderland, share the exact same practices. Everything from cultural traditions down to simple daily routines, are impacted by the immediate environment people are a part of.

Now I have only been in the country for six weeks, having explored three cities and after this weekend that number with change to four. But with what I have witnessed so far, I can make a reflection on the unique culture of the costeño in comparison to the interior regions of Colombia. There is no better way to picture this culture clash than to put oneself in the shoes of the "Mango Man."

He is very particular to the calles of Departamento Atlántico. Everyone knows who he is without needing to ask nor even consider his purpose on the street. One might think that I am leading up to state that mango man is meant to sell mangos, but that is not necessarily the case. He embodies the stereotype of the costeño by carrying a lifestyle of leisure and hard work at once. Each day is spent picking the fruit off of the many wild mango trees in Barranquilla, and sharing the goods with anyone willing to have a taste for around 1.500 pesos. Close to the early evening he will share in the indulgence himself because who cares, he is a costeño.

The mango man may be poor or even have a family of ten. But those questions are never asked because nosiness is not the way of the people from the coast (unless you are a foreigner of course). When it is really hot he will seek relaxation under the shade of a tree with a large canopy. Maybe he will sit there for a couple minutes or even stay for hours to sell mangos until the heat is driven out by the sunset. None of it is planned because there is no point when rain can start falling from the sky at any moment, engulfing the streets in deadly flash floods. The one thing that never changes is the mindset that all is alright and whatever happens just goes.

"Take it easy," the mango man will say. The environment on the coast is uncontrollable and especially unpredictable. Nothing can be done to alter things, so the best way to approach life here is to smile and accept whatever comes your way. If it's hot, find shade. If there are floods, find temporary refuge. The only thing one must never do, is carry any expectations of the weather. This is the mentality of the costeño.

Other departments in Colombia may argue that the costeño is the laziest person in the country who spends six hours a day indoors to avoid the hot sun. But if you were from Bogotá with year round 60 degree Fahrenheit weather, of course your perception of environment would be quite different. The mango man lives a simple life, and he probably did not choose it for himself. But what makes his costeño culture so unique is his ability to accept what life gave him.