Language and culture Colonia Tovar

ferdinand bellermann. colonia tovar

tovar organized beginning closed community. founders had intention maintain cultural traditions long time. upon arrival, built houses retaining distinctive architecture of kaiserstuhl. badische, baden dialect, language dominated area , food , clothing remained intact. time marriage outside colonia forbidden in order ensure ethnic , cultural continuity.

although official language of venezuela castilian, minor number of people in colonia tovar can speak alemannisch: alemannic, alemán coloniero precisely. variant language inherited previous generations after 150 years, although many phonetic , lexical turns no longer used in europe. alemannic belongs, next bavarian, branch called upper german of germanic language family.

the houses, buildings, , shops in city made according alpine style, giving unmistakable peculiar identity. church of st. martin in center of town true copy of endingen in germany, founders from.

in 1940, spanish established official language , exogamous marriage became free practice. in 21st century, inhabitants of tovar started integrate venezuelan culture, without abandoning customs. among traditions remain craftsmanship, heritage of founders, preserving traditional skills in arts , crafts in wood, ceramic , other materials. there academic center of violin, school prepares students in art of manufacturing, maintenance , repair of symphonic instruments.