Let's Celebrate!

Thanksgiving is coming up and it made me think of the different holidays that Latin American countries celebrate. Thanksgiving is not one of them. But we celebrate many others that have a special meaning to us.

The first one that comes to my mind is  Nov 1 Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead which is celebrated in Mexico. Traditionally, it is a day to celebrate and honor one’s ancestors. Many celebrate setting up ofrendas (altars) in their homes to honor the memory of deceased loved ones.Others visit their loved one’s cemetery plot and decorate it with flowers, candles and food. The holiday is celebrated with family and community gatherings, music, and feasting, and the festivity of its observance acknowledges death as an integral part or life.

Another very popular holiday celbrated in Latin America is La Semana Santa or Easter and the Holy Week which is usually clebrated the first week of April. Easter is one of the highest holy days of the year. The week leading up to Easter involves solemn processions, prayer, masses and other preparation for Jesus’ rebirth.

May 5 is the famous Cinco de Mayo celebration in Mexico which commemorates the victory of Mexican forces over the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla, and in other parts of Mexico. It is also celebrated in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico’s Independece Day, which is actually September 16.

Aug 1-6 Feast of the Savior of the World or El Salvador del Mundo, patron saint of El Salvador. San Salvadoreans celebrate with street fairs and a “bajada”, a procession honoring the saints.

Sep 15 is the Independence Day for Central American nations (El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua). Commemorates the declaration of independence from Spain in 1821.

Oct 12 is the Spanish National Day, also known as Día de la HIspanidad (Spain). In most of the Spanish-speaking countries celebrated as Dia de la Raza, Columbus Day, or Panamerican Day. This holiday commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America. A holiday with complex and changing meanings. Hispanics in the U.S. are split on their political feelings about the holiday.

These are only a few of the many holidays that are celebrated in Latin America. Each celebration will surely have a lot of food, music and family gatherings.



All images from google images.