Shakira Brings the Barranquilla Carnival to Madrid: Marimondas, a Vueltiao Hat and a Sword Honoring Her Father
She didn't just watch the carnival — she danced right into it. In the middle of her blockbuster Madrid residency, Shakira turned a corner of the Spanish capital into a slice of her hometown, Barranquilla, joining around 130 Colombian carnival artists for a burst of drums, colour and folk dance that reminded the world exactly where the global superstar comes from.
- On October 8, 2026, Shakira met about 130 artists from the Barranquilla Carnival who travelled to Madrid.
- She danced with groups including the Marimondas, La Gigantona and Congo Grande, wearing a traditional sombrero vueltiao.
- Congo Grande gave her a handmade sword carrying her image and that of her father, William Mebarak.
- Carnival organizers invited her to the Barranquilla Carnival 2027 (Feb 6–9).
- The event is part of the cultural program around her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran residency in Madrid.
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A Barranquilla Carnival Party in the Heart of Madrid
On October 8, Shakira hosted a special meeting with roughly 130 artists and representatives of the Barranquilla Carnival, who flew to Madrid to share Colombia's most famous festival with a European crowd. The timing was no accident: the singer is in the middle of her Madrid residency, part of the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.
The gathering filled the room with traditional folk dances, pounding drums and Latin rhythms. On show were some of the carnival's best-loved expressions: the playful Marimonda dancers, the La Gigantona troupe, and the Congo Grande group, joined by other music and dance collectives.
Shakira didn't just watch — she danced
Rather than watch from the side, Shakira jumped in and danced with the performers, celebrating the traditions she grew up with. She wore the sombrero vueltiao, the woven hat that is one of Colombia's most recognised national symbols — a simple, strong statement of identity in front of the Madrid audience.
“ Global fame didn't take Shakira away from Barranquilla — it gave her a bigger stage to share it. The story of the night
The Emotional Gift: A Sword Honoring Shakira and Her Father
The most moving moment came when members of Congo Grande presented Shakira with a special keepsake: a traditional, handmade sword decorated with carnival symbols. It carries her image and the image of her father, William Mebarak — a tribute to the star, her family and her Colombian roots all at once. Photos from the day show Shakira proudly holding it up, its blade carrying the carnival's famous line: “¡En Barranquilla se baila así!” (“This is how we dance in Barranquilla!”).
Shakira thanked the artists for bringing the spirit of her city to Madrid and spoke of her pride in the culture that raised her.
An invitation to Barranquilla Carnival 2027
The Barranquilla Carnival organizers also used the moment to invite Shakira to the 2027 edition, set for February 6 to 9, 2027. Fans back home will now be watching closely to see whether she says yes.
Meet the Carnival Groups That Came to Madrid
| Group / Symbol | What it is |
|---|---|
| Marimonda | The carnival's most popular costume: a hooded figure with a long nose and floppy ears. |
| Congo Grande | A Congo dance group; the Congo dance carries African tradition and the memory of slavery in the Americas. |
| La Gigantona | A traditional carnival troupe that performed for Shakira in Madrid. |
| Sombrero vueltiao | Colombia's iconic woven hat, worn by Shakira during the celebration. |
Inside Shakira's Madrid Residency
The celebration belongs to the wider cultural program of Shakira's stay in Madrid, where the residency was built around 12 concerts in September and October 2026, with an extra closing night later added for October 12. The idea goes beyond music: the experience celebrates Latin culture through dance, arts, traditions and food, with the Barranquilla Carnival at its heart.
Why the Barranquilla Carnival Matters So Much to Shakira
Shakira was born in Barranquilla, on Colombia's Caribbean coast, and the city's carnival is one of the biggest in the world. It mixes European, African and Indigenous traditions, and UNESCO named it a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003.
With this Madrid moment, Shakira shows again that worldwide success has not pulled her away from her roots. Instead, it has given her a bigger platform to introduce Barranquilla's heritage to new audiences — the city that remains a core part of her artistic and personal identity, and whose colours and rhythms travel with her wherever she goes.
FAQ: Shakira and the Barranquilla Carnival in Madrid
What did Shakira do with the Barranquilla Carnival in Madrid?
On October 8, 2026, she joined about 130 carnival artists and representatives, danced with them, wore a sombrero vueltiao and received a handmade sword as a gift.
What gift did the Congo Grande group give Shakira?
A traditional handmade sword decorated with carnival symbols, bearing images of Shakira and her father, William Mebarak.
When is the Barranquilla Carnival 2027?
February 6 to 9, 2027. The organizers have invited Shakira to take part.
How many concerts is Shakira playing in Madrid?
The residency was built around 12 concerts in September and October 2026, with an extra closing night later added for October 12.
What is a Marimonda?
The Barranquilla Carnival's most popular costume: a hooded figure with a long nose, floppy ears and bright clothes, often described as part monkey, part elephant.
Shakira turned a Madrid tour stop into a Barranquilla homecoming: she danced with 130 carnival artists, wore Colombia's iconic hat, received a sword honoring her father and was invited to Carnival 2027. It's a clear message — the bigger her stage gets, the louder she celebrates where she comes from.
