Latin America Christmas

La purísima or immaculate conception of the blessed virgin mary held on december 8th is perhaps one of the most important festivities.

Latin america christmas. Quite distinct from the rest of latin america uruguay is a secular country and christmas is not an official holiday recognized by the government. Tamales are holiday staples in many parts of latin america. Although christmas in nicaragua is celebrated on the 24th this latin america country starts christmas celebrations as early as the 6th of december. An altar is created with the displaying of a statue.

Therefore it is not surprising that the most widespread christmas tradition is the construction of the nativity scene a tradition that francis of assisi promoted in the 13th century when he mounted a representation of the birth of jesus. The cookies can be left as is but it is also fun to decorate alfajores for christmas with sprinkles and or icing or dipped into chocolate. It s called the day of the family instead though people celebrate with trees and feasts in gatherings resembling what we traditionally think of as a christmas celebration. Presents are given to the children on the eve of the 24th.

Most of the christmas rituals in latin america begin on december 16th. Since the arrival of the spanish in 1492 catholicism has been the predominant religion in latin america. For peruvians christmas is truly a holy time and not nearly so commercialized as in the west and in other parts of latin america. Most latin american families and also in spain celebrate christmas on the night of the 24th of december and extend the celebration until wee hours on the 25th.

Because making tamales can be pretty time consuming many people opt to participate in tamaladas or tamal making parties where participants swap recipes and bond as they prepare this delicious holiday staple in bulk. Oven roasted chicken turkey cazuela de ave and pan de pascua. Christmas in latin america. This night is called nochebuena which is another word.

Here are our top ten latin american christmas food traditions. Food is an integral part of celebrating family friends and christmas traditions. In latin america it is central to all holiday activities as people gather to enjoy food that speaks to the culture that have been around for centuries. This nine day period represents mary s pregnancy and the events leading up to jesus s birth.

Said to be home to the first christmas celebration in all of latin america during the 16th century peru is a heavily catholic country where the western santa and his likeness are actually banned. The alfajor is a classic latin american cookie made of two delicate sugar cookies with a dulce de leche caramel filling.