Christmas in Vallarta: Posadas, Piñatas and Much More
by Danú Hernández |
 Christmas is around the corner, and for most Mexicans, this is a very important time because, in addition to celebrating and seeing family that perhaps we don’t see during the year, our country offers numerous traditions that enhance the celebrations. Mexican Christmas “Posadas”A Mexican Christmas Posada is a festive traditional reenactment of the fabled experience of Mary and Joseph as they journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem. They began on December 16, and one posada is performed each night until December 24. This tradition is part of Mexican culture and dates back to ancestral Mexico when indigenous peoples celebrated during the winter in anticipation of the arrival of Huitzilopotchtli, during the month of Panquetzaliztli, from approximately December 7 to 26 on the modern calendar. This is the reason these posadas are considered uniquely Mexican.  There are several rituals that take place during a posada, and these vary according to the customs of each city, as well as the families that organize them. But most still sing the same verses when asking for shelter as Joseph and Mary did millennia ago. Some of the guests are placed inside the home, with others outside, while they all hold candles and singing. Some end the festivity by praying a rosary, while others just carry on with the celebration. The Department of Art and Culture offers the children of Vallarta three traditional Posadas; these will take place December, 17, 18 and 19 at the main plaza in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The Piñata Piñatas were traditionally made of clay. As time passed, new techniques emerged, and now most are completely made of paper or paper maché. During this season, the custom is to make piñatas in the form of 7 stars, which represent the 7 deadly sins within the Catholic religion. The piñata must be broken with a wooden stick, which represents the strength and fury of God. Once broken, the candy and fruit that were stuffed into it fall, and everyone is free to pick up these rewards, which symbolize gifts for having defeated sin. **Bay Vallarta, edition 124, has printed an article about where to find piñatas in town. The Nativity Play The nativity Play or “pastorela’ is a theatrical reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey upon arriving in Bethlehem, and all the tribulations they endured until the birth of baby Jesus. The Municipal Theater Group has prepared a Pastoral Journey that will be performed at the Cuale River Cultural Center from December 16 to 22 at 8:00 pm. Admission is free. |
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