Unique culinary tradition: ants
By hola | Published | No Comments
In our Storytelling Program for Experiential Learning (SPEL) earlier this spring, we asked everyone to write about a tradition from home that is little known outside their country or region. SPEL’s Victoria Hincapié had this great example to share.
I was talking recently with friends from Central America about typical Colombian food and mentioned the famous “Culona” ants. Apparently, they are not all that well-known because my friends couldn’t believe that we eat ants in Colombia. So I realized this is definitely a tradition known mostly by locals.
The typical snack has its origin in the department of Santander in northern-central Colombia, near the border with Venezuela. The main ant hunting grounds are in Santander’s Guanentina province.
The name “culona” means “big butt” in Spanish, which is a pretty accurate description. They are a special type of ant, specifically the winged princesses of the Atta Laevigata species. These ants are only hunted from their anthills from April, during Passover season, though the season is sometimes extended to June. Once collected, their heads and wings are ripped off, and their bodies are washed and soaked in salt-water, which gives them a salty flavor. Finally, they are usually toasted in a large pan. One pound of ants can cost 40,000 Colombian pesos (around 10 dollars).
Although my family lived in another part of the country, my mother grew up in Santander and passed down the tradition to the rest of us. It is an acquired taste, as there are actually many Colombians who have never eaten ants, though Colombia exports them to other countries. In France and London they are considered a delicacy. In my case, I’ve eaten them since I was a child and find them delicious. It’s like eating popcorn.
This is a tradition learned from our ancestors that has been preserved by local residents. There are even several famous monuments to the Culona ants in Santander including ones in the state capital, Bucaramanga, and the city of Barichara. Everyone should have the opportunity to visit Colombia, where you can find unique traditions like this one in every corner of the country.
– Victoria Hincapié
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