BRING IT: 12 Things You Didn’t Know About Christmas
Around the world, familias celebrate the holidays a little bit differently.
Here are 12 fun facts about Latin America and Christmas:
1.Origins of the Poinsettia: Did you know the most popular Christmas flower originated in Latin America? While he served as the U.S. Minster to Mexico, Dr. Joel Robert Poinsett first laid eyes on a gorgeous crimson flower. In Mexico, the natives called it the “Flor de Noche Buena.” He shipped back samples of the plant to his native U.S. in 1936. Americans took a liking to the flower and nicknamed it the “Poinsettia", after the man who "discovered" it. The beautiful flower is now an ubiquitous symbol of the Christmas season in the United States.
2.Presents...and fireworks? In America, we traditionally associate firecrackers with the Fourth of July or New Years Eve...but not with Christmas. However, in parts of Latin America, specifically El Salvador, the whistling sound of ignited fireworks is a pleasant reminder that it's Christmastime. Traditionally, during this time of the year, Salvadorian streets are littered with the paper remants of launched fireworks.
3. Full-sized dolls. In Panama, many celebrate the Christmas season (and the end of a long year) by creating a life-sized muñeca, or doll, and propping it up outside their homes. They often create them to look like themselves, a friend, a family member, a well-known public figure, etc. and dress them in old clothing. The best part? On New Year's Eve, they blow up the muñecas to symbolize the end of a old year and a fresh start.4. Latin American Hospitality
4. Las Posadas (literally "the accomodations") are a Catholic tradition celebrated in various parts of Latin America, such as Mexico and Guatemala. Many Latinos in the United States also celebrate Las Posadas every Christmas. Basically, beginning on the 16th of December, participants recreate Joseph and Mary's desperate search for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus Christ. Participants split into two groups - one party searches for shelter, while the other group play the various inn keepers. Once the roaming parents-to-be are granted shelter, everyone enters the "inn" for a celebration.up entire tabletops or rooms! Typically, they feature homemade nacimiento paper, gorgeous figurines, and sometimes families add in extras like complicated houses, waterfalls, mountains, and scenery.
5. Five Star Accomodations:Jesus Christ may have been born in a stable...but now, devotees treat him to top-of-the-line accomodations! Many Latin Americans create elaborate nacimientos, or Nativity Scenes. The scenes are often extremely elaborate - taking up entire tabletops or rooms! Typically, they feature homemade nacimiento paper, gorgeous figurines, and sometimes families add in extras like complicated houses, waterfalls, mountains, and scenery.
6. Shoes, Not Stockings: In Venezuela, and other parts of Latin America, eager children ancitipate the morning of January 6 - Three Kings’ Day! The celebration is an homage to the Three Kings, who followed the Star of Bethlehem and are believed to have found Jesus Christ on this day. Some Venezuelans celebrate by leaving shoes out for los Reyes Magos. In the morning, they find treats, presents, and candy stuffed into the footwear.
7. Day Of The Little Candles: In Colombia, the unofficial start to the Christmas season is Dec. 7th -- El Día de las Velitas, the Day of the Little Candles. On this day, families light candles, usually about 100, and place them on the sidewalk area. The event honors the Immaculate Conception, which the church celebrates the next day, on Dec. 8th.
8. Christmas Treats...and Radishes? Yep, believe it or not: radishes symbolize the Christmas season for some Mexicans! On Dec. 23 in Oaxaca City, many celebrate the Night of the Radishes, or Noche de Rábanos, in the main plaza. The event is one of the most impressive vegetable festivals in the world, and features elaborate radish carvings, often in the shape of nativity scenes. Artisans from around the world travel to Mexico to celebrate the event!
9. Mischievous Celebrations: Before the Elf on a Shelf there was Caganer, a traditional Catalan figurine. He's often depicted as a peasant wearing a traditional red cap (the barretina) with his trousers down, showing off his bare bum. The most interesting part? The figuring is defecating! You can often find him hanging out in traditional nativity scenes. Joan Lliteras, a caganer connoisseur told BBC News that the figurine has been a feature of the Catalan nativity scenes for at least two centuries. "There was the legend that if a countryside man did not put a caganer in the nativity scene, he would have a very bad year collecting vegetables," she said.
10. Boozy French Toast:Many Portuguese (and some Brazilians) whip up this traditional dish around Christmastime - rabanada. The bread is soaked in a combination of milk, wine, sugary syrups, and eggs. After frying the bread until it's crispy, many coat it in sugar, cinnamon, or cocoa powder. Sounds like a delicious version of french toast to us!
11. Nine Days of Song: Beginning on Dec. 16th, many Colombians do Novenas Navideñas for nine days until Christmas Day. Traditionally, families and neighbors and friends unite in the evening to sing and pray around the Nativity scene.
12. Tradition...or mean prank? Don't be mad - that's not someone breaking in to your house! It's just your Puerto Rican friends participating in an unforgettable tradition, a parranda. A parranda takes place when a small group of friends get together to "asaltar" or surprise another friend. In the Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling, the friends typically play an instrument - usually a guitar or tamborine - and sing.
We at NLCA Wishes Everyone Happy Holidays with Joy and Happiness in 2017.
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