Christmas in Central America

From 16th December until Christmas Eve people in Mexico perform "las posadas" (in Spanish "the inns"). Each posada is actually kind of play about Mary and Joseph searching for a place where Jesus would be born. Places where posadas are held change from home to home in certain neighbourhood. Each home has a role of innkeepers. People from the neighbourhood are the pilgrims or "peregrinos" which look for a place to stay. They go from house to house and sing traditional songs about pilgrims. All of them carry lit candles. Four pilgrims carry small statues of Joseph leading a donkey with Mary riding it. Sometimes there are real persons dressed as Joseph and Mary. Real donkey ("burrito") can be used too.

A person heading this processions holds a candle inside paper shade. This little lantern is called "farolito." People in each home they visit refuse them to stay. Two sides communicate through singing. Finally the pilgrims arrive to the place where the posada is organized. When the "innkeepers" let pilgrims in everyone kneel in front of the nativity scene and pray rosary. Sometimes a place where the posada is organized can be a church.

After the prayer there is a small party for kids. It usually includes piñata. It is filled with fruit or sweets. There is something for the adults too. They drink "Ponche con Piquete" or "Punch". It is made of different fruits, cinnamon and alcoholic beverage. During Christmas season Mexicans also have "Pastorales" which are plays about shepherds on their way to honour Baby Jesus.

Most of places in Mexico have beautiful Christmas markets with stalls or "puestos" filled with different fruits, sweets or flowers. At midnight on Christmas Eve people attend a mass. After the mass there is a family dinner. A figure of Baby Jesus is then placed to the nativity scene.

Rosca de Reyes

Children in Mexico get presents on Epiphany or "El día de Reyes", which is on the 6th January. Few days before this day children go to the main square in town or "zócalo." They arrive there with little pieces of paper with their wishes written on them. Each paper is tied to a colourful balloon and released up in the air. Important part of this day is a light meal called "La Merienda." It consists of hot chocolate ("chocolate caliente") and "Rosca de Reyes." The Rosca de Reyes is a wreath-shaped bread with dry fruit and sugar sprinkled on it. Inside this bread there is little doll representing Baby Jesus.

On the 2nd February there is a holiday called "Día de la Candelaria" or "Candlemas." The person who got the doll organizes a party. He or she also makes a "Ropon" or christening gown for Baby Jesus. On this day people usually eat lot of tamales. A tamale is a steam-cooked corn dough ("masa") with or without a filling. Different fillings like meat, cheese or chillies can be used. Before cooking a tamale is wrapped in corn husks or plantain leaves.

In the afternoon of the 7th December churches and cathedrals in Nicaraga are full of people. A yell can be heard at the beginning of celebration - "Quién causa tanta alegría? (Who causes so much happiness?). Everyone responses - "La Concepción de María" (Mary’s Conception). This tradition is called " La Gritería." At exactly 6.00 p.m. many people arrive on streets and "shout". This means that they visit altars made for this purpose and sing songs dedicated to Virgin Mary.