Zapata Olivella, Delia (1926–2001)

Colombian dancer, choreographer and educator. Born Delia Zapata Olivella, April 1, 1926, in Santa Cruz de Lorica, Colombia; died of malaria, May 24, 2001, in Bogotá, Colombia; dau. of Antonio Zapata Vásquez (educator and actor); sister of Manuel Zapata Olivella (doctor, writer, folklorist); Juan Zapata Olivella (poet, educator, founder of Cartagena's Museum of Black Culture); children: 1 daughter.

Accomplished Afro-Colombian dancer and choreographer who pioneered study and preservation of Colombian traditional dances and Afro-Colombian culture and history, demanded enrollment in Cartagena's exclusive and previously all-male high school system, graduating with 24 other women in city's 1st co-ed class; traveled with brother Manuel to research traditional Afro-Colombian dances and culture (1955), then toured Colombia, Europe and China with her troupe Danzas Folklóricas Colombianas (Colombian Folk Dance); became main choreographer for Institute of Popular Culture in Cali (1963); awarded fellowship (1964), studied African dance with Katherine Dunham in US; returned to Bogotá, where she taught, danced and directed at National University (1967–83); founded Institute for Colombian Folklore (1974); served as director of Latin America's 1st university program in dance, theater and popular tradition at Antonio Nariño University in Bogotá (1983–2001); published Manual de danzas de la costa Pacífica de Colombia (Manual of Dances of the Pacific Coast of Colombia, 1998); while traveling to Africa with daughter, contracted malaria (2001). Received Medalla de Oro (Gold Medal) from Colombian Society of Authors and Composers (1964) and Orden del Mérito (Order of Merit) General José María Cordoba from Colombian government (1997).