Me llamo ______Fecha ______
Read the following passages about Hispanic holiday celebrations this time of year. Then write the dates for each holiday in the Spanish format (date/ month/ year). Can you write out the months as well? (ex. el 3 de febrero)
Las Posadas (Mexico, Guatemala and other Central American countries). Las Posadas commemorate the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay. The word posada means inn. Family and friends visit one another in their homes and enjoy conversations and traditional foods, and visitors sing carols. The holiday takes place from December 16 – December 24 each year. Colombians celebrate a similar holiday called La Novena and for nine days. Families pray and sing traditional carols.
La Nochebuena (Christmas Eve, December 24) y la Navidad (Christmas, December 25). In many Catholic countries, people attend midnight mass (la misa del gallo – the rooster mass!) on Christmas Eve. Preparing traditional foods is also an integral part of the holiday. Mexicans get together for a tamalada or a tamal- making session. A tamal is usually made of shredded pork and corn meal called masa, and tucked into a corn shuck or leaf. Puerto Ricans prepare pasteles puertorriqueños which are encased in plantain leaves and stuffed with black beans, pork, raisins, and other ingredients. Cubans often have a lechón asado, a roasted pork dish. In Perú, they celebrate with hot chocolate and panettone, an Italian sweetbread. Presents are not exchanged on this day. In España, the more common traditions include incredibly elaborate "Nacimientos" (nativity scenes), Christmas trees, and remarkable Christmas markets scattered among villages and cities with piles of fruits, flowers, marzipan and other sweets, candles, decorations and hand-made Christmas gifts.
El Día de los Santos Inocentes, (Day of the Holy Innocents – December 28), is a religious commemoration of King Herod's ordering the slaughter of all male infants in his kingdom. In Mexico it is celebrated as a day like April Fool's, an occasion for jokes and pranks. The usual tactic is to approach a friend and ask to borrow cash or some object of value. If fooled by the ploy, the victim may be given a candy or silly gift in return, along with much joking and name calling. So beware or you may find yourself titled Fool Saint for a day!
La Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve, December 31). In Latin America, Catholic families celebrate New Year’s Eve by attending mass and having a special meal together. Quite often, there are fireworks and celebrations. In Spain and some other countries, twelve grapes are eaten in the seconds before the stroke of midnight; the grapes symbolize the 12 months in the old year and the year to come. It is a wish of good luck for the new year.
El Año Nuevo (New Year’s Day, January 1) Some Hispanic traditions include: 1) putting on a pair of brand new yellow underwear right before midnight for good luck in the new year. The yellow symbolizes gold and good fortune. 2) taking a suitcase and running a lap around your block or up a flight of stairs to make sure you travel in the new year. 3) Other traditions state that one should start out the New Year with a clean house. Others say you should make sure to take a bath on New Year's Eve. Some people wash their cars and even their pets to start the new year fresh.
Día de los Reyes Magos or Día de los Santos Reyes; (Epiphany or Day of the Three Kings, January 6). In many Catholic countries, this is the time for Christmas fun. Traditionally the children receive gifts on this day rather than on Christmas. Since the Three Kings brought gifts, people exchange presents and children put out their shoes for the magi to leave the presents inside. The children leave straw and water for the camels that have carried the three kings.
In México a special treat served on this day is the Rosca de Reyes -a crown- shaped sweet bread decorated with jewel-like candied fruits. A tiny figure of a baby is hidden in the dough before baking. There is much excitement as each person cuts his or her own slice, for whoever gets the piece containing the baby is obliged to host another party on or before Candlemas, February 2, when Mexico's holiday season finally comes to an end.
Write the dates in the Spanish number format (date/ month/ year) and in words (el 3 de febrero) Las Posadas ______
La Nochebuena ______
La Navidad ______
El Día de los Inocentes ______
La Nochevieja ______
El Año Nuevo ______
Día de los Reyes Magos ______