The story
Riosucio Arts Carnival in Riosucio
Born from the 1819 forced union of two rival towns, Quiebralomo and La Montana, Riosucio's carnival traces to an 1847 amusement called diversion matachinesca, with the Devil adopted as its defining effigy only in 1915. Held every two years around 6 January and recognised as Oral, Cultural and Immaterial Heritage of the Nation, it uses the Devil's satirical reign as licence for costumed matachines, improvised verse, music and dance across Riosucio's streets.
Riosucio itself emerged from the forced union of two rival colonial-era towns, Quiebralomo and La Montana, whose settlements at the foot of Cerro Ingruma had declared what local history describes as mortal enmity over disputed territory before two parish priests brokered an alliance that merged them into Riosucio in 1819.