Exploring Hispanic Christmas through Food, Music, and Diversity

The term “Hispanic” is often used as a generic description to refer to people who have a historical, cultural, or linguistic connection to Spain or Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America. It has been used primarily in the US to refer to people of Hispanic descent who are part of the US government classification system of race and ethnicity. Even though there are many similarities, there are some broad differences that we can notice that encompass a variety of cultures. Each country in the region is a blend of indigenous, European, and African influences that have created unique cultural expressions, customs, and celebrations.
Christmas traditions are a perfect example of the diversity of Hispanic countries. From the north to the south, Christmas in Latin America is a mix of cultures, each standing out during this holiday. As the festive season approaches, we will look at the distinctive Christmas celebrations and cultural expressions, including:
The Villancicos are the most popular Christmas musical genre. They are often part of celebrations such as “las posadas” in Mexico and “las parrandas” in Puerto Rico. However, some countries like Venezuela have their own musical genres for the Christmas season. Gaitas is the musical genre that the Venezuelan community worldwide associates with Christmas. It is a conjugation of the missionaries’ villancico, the drums, the sound of the furruco, the maracas, and the charrasca, besides a variation of the Iberian guitar: el cuatro.
Christmas food varies depending on the country but often includes pork, beef, or poultry. Tamales in Mexico, roast turkey in Peru, slow-roasted pork in Puerto Rico, and hallacas in Venezuela are traditional dishes served during the Christmas dinner. People typically cook them with families or friends who get together to give gifts to each other, listen to Christmas songs, or dance.
In Hispanic countries, the majority of the people are catholic. However, every country has different religious celebrations during the Christmas season. Colombians decorate their homes with lanterns, candles, and lights on Little Candles’ Day, the evening of December 7th, and they start making novenas, a gathering in which family, friends, and neighbors come for the prayers, from December 16th to Christmas Eve. Mexicans start performing on the December 16th the traditional posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter where people come together to participate in processions, and end gathering for a festive feast to have their Christmas meal on “la noche buena” (Christmas Eve). Peruvians begin the festive season with the Santurantikuy Market, the traditional Christmas fair of Cusco celebrated every December 23rd and 24th, where people go to purchase Nativity scene figures and continue with early morning Christmas masses before Christmas Eve.
This beautiful diversity is what makes Christmas in Hispanic countries so magical. They combine cultural and religious events with historical celebrations and myths passed down through the ages. Across the continent, we can also find interesting and fun examples of what people believe in and what they do on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve. Watch the video below and learn about these curious traditions.
Christmas is one of the most celebrated seasons in Hispanic tradition. It is a perfect time to see the similarities and differences among the Hispanic countries. They come together to create a unique, multi-faceted identity that celebrates their diversity and shared values. The religion, the food, the music, and other expressions are all part of the celebration of the family: the heart of Hispanic life.