Celebrations and Holidays
Navidad en Colombia
Colombia, named after Christopher Columbus, has many beautiful traditions that teach us about spending valuable time with our families , loving and accepting our neighbors, and sharing without any hesitation or reservations with others. There are a few rituals and ways of celebrating Christmas that are common in all the regions of the Country. Many children are brought up to keep the same traditions for many generations such as going from house to house to read the story of baby Jesus and singing the “villancicos”, cooking together “natilla con buñuelos,” closing a neighborhood block to cook a pig and dance or just walking through parts of the town to see Christmas decorations.
Christmas in Colombia is a religious event also mixed with lots of "parranda" or fiesta, like it is common in Hispanic culture. As soon as December starts we take out our decorations which must include "el pesebre" or nativity, the Christmas tree, red and white candles, angels, and lights that we display on the windows or balconies of our home.
Christmas in Colombia is an entirely different experience to what we might be used to back in Europe. As soon as they possibly can, Colombians start to decorate their houses, celebrate the festive season with their family and, as with Christmas elsewhere, eat and drink more than is good for you. Here are just a few of the typically Colombian Christmas celebrations.
Halloween
While October 31st is Halloween here in the US, there is a similar -- typically -- less scary holiday in Colombia on the same day. Halloween is now just Halloween or Noche de Brujas. On this day, children dress up as their favorite character. Walking the streets, you will see Batman, fairies, dogs, cats, ninjas, cowboys, princesses, etc.
The children will get candy, balloons, ice cream and other gifts in celebration. Unlike here in the US, where kids go from house to house seeking candy. Most kids are taken to shopping malls or grocery stores (Centros Comerciales) where they ask for and receive candy.
Halloween was first celebrated in Colombia about three decades ago. Movies like Halloween by John Carpernter helped to spread the idea around the world.
Before Halloween traditions came to Colombia, children celebrated All Saints’ Day on November 1st. They used to dress up like angels and ask for candy or ingredients to make traditional dishes while singing the song: “Angels we are, coming from heaven, begging for alms for ourselves”. Some people, especially in the coastal region, want to bring back the tradition of the Angels’ Day and the love for the local celebrations.
The Halloween is Americanized. Kids, teenagers and adults dress up with their chosen costumes and children go trick or treating around their neighborhoods. Malls are filled with Halloween decorations, candy and costumes. Night Clubs offer all kinds of parties based around the date. Costume contests are crazy events to go to and you can see everything from beautiful princesses to sexy witches.
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