Colombian literature, as an expression of the culture of Colombia, is heterogeneous due to the coexistence of Spanish, African and Native American heritages in an extremely diverse geography. Five distinct historical and cultural traditions can be identified, with their own socioeconomic history: the Caribbean coast, Greater Antioquia, the Cundinamarca-Boyacá Highlands, Greater Tolima and the Western Valley. Colombia produced one of the richest literatures of Latin America, as much for its abundance as for its variety and innovation during the 19th and 20th centuries. Colombian intellectuals who forged the literature of this period also contributed decisively to the consolidation of Latin American literature.
Conquest and early colonial period (1499-1810)
Under the Spanish Empire, major literary topics included conquest narratives, chronicles, religious devotion, and love themes. Some of the best-known authors of this period are:
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada (1496 -other sources state 1506 or 1509Suesca, 16 February 1579) - First chronicler as he kept diaries of his own conquests, main conquistador of large parts of Colombia, may have been the (partial) author of Epítome de la conquista del Nuevo Reino de Granada (not published until 1889), his diaries were published in 1576 Juan de Castellanos (Alanís, Sevilla, 9 March 1522 - Tunja, November 1606) - Wrote the longest poem ever in the Spanish language, Elegías de varones ilustres de Indias (1589) Pedro Simón (San Lorenzo de la Parrilla, Spain, 1574 - Ubaté, ca. 1628) - Friar who wrote Noticias historiales de las conquistas de Tierra Firme en las Indias occidentales about the Spanish conquest in 1626 Juan Rodríguez Freyle (Bogotá, 25 April 1566 - Bogotá, 1642) - Spanish priest, wrote the extensive chronicle of the Spanish conquest of the Muisca; El Carnero ("The Sheep"), first published in 1638 Hernando Domínguez Camargo (Bogotá, 1606 – Tunja, 1659) - Jesuit priest and writer. His work was influenced by the Spanish poet Luis de Góngora, in a cultural trend known as the Indias Baroque. His most recognized works are "Epic Poem to St Ignacio of Loyola" and "Bouquet of poetic flowers" Lucas Fernández de Piedrahita (Bogotá, 1624 — Ciudad de Panamá, 29 March 1688) - Published Historia general de las conquistas del Nuevo Reino de Granada, a major work about the Spanish conquest and the indigenous peoples of Colombia in 1676 Francisco Álvarez de Velasco y Zorrilla (Bogotá, 1647 – Madrid, 1708) - His main work was Rhytmica Sacra, Moral y Laudatiria. His writings show admiration for the work of Francisco de Quevedo and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Francisca Josefa de Castillo y Guevara (Tunja, 1671 – Tunja, 1742) - nun, recognized as one of the most important female authors of mysticism for her Afectos espirituales and her Vida (memoirs). Felipe de Vergara Azcárate (1745-1818) was one of the most notable writers of the Colombian colony, wrote more than 42 works, including Elements of Natural Philosophy that contain the principles of physics, demonstrated by mathematics and confirmed with observations and experiences, Elements of Plane Geometry, Elements of arithmetic, Elements of Astronomy, Discourse on the appeal, on the royal patronage and Genealogical history of the author's family, from the conquest to 1800. and others in different subjects such as philosophy, theology, literature, mathematics.
Emancipation and national consolidation (1780-1830)
During the process of independence, Colombian literature was strongly influenced by the political motivations of the moment. The main literary movements were close to Romanticism.
During the nineteenth century, political writing was led by Simón Bolívar. Local journalism was initiated by Antonio Nariño. The Colombian government established the first Academy of Spanish language in the American continent, in 1871.
Other relevant authors were:
Camilo Torres Tenorio
Francisco Antonio Zea
José Fernández Madrid (February 19, 1789 – June 28, 1830).
Costumbrismo
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the main topic in Colombian literature was the colourful depiction of peasant life, tied to strong criticism of society and government. This type of literature was called costumbrista literature. Some of the authors of this period are: