Colombia

Colombia  Spanish speaking nation of Colombia is located in Northwestern South America along the coast of the Carribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. With a large population over 46 million people they are the second largest population of any Spanish-speaking country in the world. Gaining its independence from Spain in 1822 Colombia has grown to become the 4th largest economy in Latin America and an exquisite tourist location.

Holiday Customs Dia de las Velitas (Lighting of the Candles)

The unofficial start of Christmas in Colombia starts on December 7th with Dia de las Velitas; a celebration of lighting candles. This occurs on the eve of the Immaculate Conception in order to honor the Virgin Mary. Families light scores of skinny candles that are placed on long pieces of wood boards and paper lanterns. These candles are used to outline streets, sidewalks, parks, placed on balconies, in front of homes, housing complexes, and churches to illuminate entire cities. During this time there is plenty of music and dancing to enjoy along with the lights. This is also a time to feast on fritters, empanadas and to drink rum and Aguardiente, an anise drink that is very powerful. Christmas Novena A major Christmas custom in Colombia is Christmas Novena starting on December 16th of each holiday season. This holiday custom is a nine day succession of prayer culminating on Christmas Eve. This custom is promoted by the Catholic Church because 90% of the population of Colombia is Roman Catholic. This practice is to create a better understanding of the religious meaning of Christmas and is similar to Posados which is practiced in Mexico. Novena is also a holiday tradition to help counter the commercialism of Christmas. During Novena a "pesebre" or manger scene is set up while religious carols called "villancicos" are sung. The "villancicos" are accompanied by tambourines, bells, and verses from the Bible being read. Children play a very active role in the Christmas Novena by reading prayers, singing, and playing instruments guided by their families. "Aguinaldos" are another large part of the Novena. "Aguinaldos" are games played during the 16th through 18th of December. Prior to the games the players make "pinky promises" to decide a prize for the winner and a punishment for the loser. Games that are included in the "aguinaldos" are "Hablar y No Contestar" (Give But Don't Receive), "Pajita en Boca" (Straw in Mouth), "Tres Pies" (Three Feet), "Beso Robado" (Stolen Kisses), and "Si y al No" (Yes or No). Throughout the Novena season there are dawn and night masses. This includes the Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) on Christmas Eve at midnight. Because Christmas Eve is the most important the children open their presents, parties are given at sunrise and fireworks are put off all starting after the midnight mass. Therefore little happens on Christmas day itself. http://youtu.be/n0XfhjTOJz0 "Christmas in Colombia." //Hispanic Culture Online Resource//. Hispanic Culutre Online Resource. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. . "Christmas Worldwide." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. . http://www.bing.com/images/searchq=christmas+borders&view=detail&id=7236253790F12F0686E75EEFA382CF66FFA8B7EE&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR&adlt=strict Amelia S.