The traditional ‘Matronas’ would be exalted with an initiative that also seeks to turn the egg arepa into cultural heritage.
When we talk about Colombia Hundreds of factors come to mind: its culture, its people and, of course, those “barbasadas” that make us stand out throughout the world.
Ingenious, creative and sometimes controversial, Colombians have an unmistakable seal; When we put our heart into something, we do it with passion and pride. And if there is something that has put us on the international map, it is our gastronomy.
This time, a typical dish is once again something to talk about, not because of its flavor, but because it could become cultural heritage of the country.
What is it about?
Nothing more and nothing less than the egg arepa, that golden and crunchy delight that conquers palates from the Caribbean to the interior of the country.
The proposal was presented by the representative to the Agmeth Escaf Chamber, who filed Bill 273 in 2025, that seeks to declare the egg arepa, originally from Luruaco, Atlántico, as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation.
The initiative has generated hundreds of reactions and has become a trend on social networks. Beyond exalting the flavor and tradition of this dish, the project seeks pay tribute to the midwives of the municipality of Luruaco, true guardians of a recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation and that represents an essential part of the Caribbean identity.
However, like everything in Colombia, the debate is valid. While some sectors celebrate the proposal and highlight the importance of strengthening the cultural identity and support the local economy associated with gastronomy, others believe that Congress should focus on “more urgent” issues.
Faced with criticism, Escaf, who is also known for his past as an actor, came forward with a response on his X account: “Bacano is when there is a defense with arguments. Here you go, gentlemen: you have never eaten an egg arepa from Luruaco, nor do they know the sacrifice of the great midwives who raise their children with their workthey educate them and support their families. That’s why they don’t understand that this recognition is also dignity.”
The representative insists that the objective of the law is not only an honorary title, but a way to protect and promote a cultural expression that represents the essence of the Colombian Caribbean, promoting tourism and the local economy through its gastronomy.
What are ‘Midwives’?
These women are much more than cooks or midwives; They are true guardians of ancestral knowledge and pillars of cultural identity in the communities of the Caribbean and the Colombian Pacific.
Their role has been essential in the transmission of knowledge ranging from traditional medicine and maternal health care, to spiritual practices and the preservation of recipes that tell the stories of entire generations.
In the case of Luruaco, the midwives are the heart behind the famous egg arepa, bearers of a gastronomic tradition that represents pride, effort and resilience. They not only keep a recipe alive, but also a way of understanding life.: the union between culture, work and territory.
