Blacks and Whites' Carnival (Spanish: Carnaval de Negros y Blancos), is the largest and most important festival in south Colombia. Although its geographical indication belongs to the city of Pasto it has also been adopted by other municipalities in Nariño and the southwest of Colombia. It is celebrated from 2 to 7 January of each year and attracts a considerable number of Colombian and foreign tourists. On 30 September 2009, this Carnival was proclaimed by UNESCO, as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. History Origins The Carnival of Blacks and Whites has its origins in the fusion of multiple cultures and expressions, corresponding to the Andes, the Amazon and the Pacific culture. The carnival of blacks and whites was first celebrated in the 16th century in 1546. This fact characterises and distinguishes it from other similar expressions, starting with the date on which it is performed, which has a distinctly indigenous origin, since it coincides with the celebration of the Moon (Quilla), which is reminiscent of the rituals performed by the Pastos and the Quilla singas, agrarian cultures who, at harvest time, honoured the moon with dances, and in other rituals they prayed to the sun, to protect their crops. These celebrations, with the fusion and influence of Spanish culture, gave rise to Hispanic-religious syncretism, which generated expressions of what would become the Pasto carnival. In the 19th century, the authorities prohibited these festivities to avoid indigenous uprisings, and around 1834 the festivities of the Indians with their children reappeared, the mestizos with masquerades and mainly local people's celebrations, all duly framed in the religious calendar, mainly with the festivities of the Virgen de las Mercedes (24 September) and the Immaculate Conception of Mary (8 December). Strictly speaking, the modern carnival, arise at the dawn of an Epiphany day on 6 January 1912, based on the need to express imagination, play, friendship and sharing the joy that around that time of the year revives. In a fine and exclusive brothel in the city, the House of the Misses Robby located in the Calle Real (Royal Street, current 25th Carrera), was the place where the audacity of Don Angel Maria Lopez Zarama, renowned tailor of the city, leads him to take the French face powder of one of the most requested ladies and proceeds to gently spread the powder and some woman's perfume among all