Folklore Dancing and Traditional Clothing
The most representative traditional clothing in our country is the custom from Intibucá, better known as “manta" which still preserves European influence. While recognizing that our peasants do not wear these costumes today and now more than ever we can appreciate external influence.
Source:
http://www.tugentelatina.com/media/images/ImageManager/4/arte_y_cultura/trajes_tipicos_de_honduras/trajes-tipicos-de-honduras-5.jpg
Sawdust Carpets in Comayagua
Honduras gives special attention to the celebrations of Holy Week. In some regions of the country, such as Comayagua, Choluteca, Copán and Intibucá, processions are held, especially during Thursday and Holly Friday. Through these events, Hondurans commemorate the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for humanity by reenacting the events that happened during the week between Palm Sunday and Jesus Christ crucifixion.
The most outstanding event is the creation of the sawdust carpets. People decorate the trail where Jesus walks through (to his crucifixion) to make the walk less painful for Christ.
Source:
http://www.destination360.com/central-america/honduras/la-ceiba-carnival
Christmas
Christmas is perhaps the biggest celebration of the year for Hondurans. It is filled with religious meaning, as the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ is at heart of it. Christmas is celebrated at the stroke of midnight on the night of the 24th of December (as opposed to the 25th in other countries).
For Hondurans, Christmas is a very special and emotional occasion and it is important to spend it with the family. Just before midnight, the family will gather and pray together, which may include the reading of passages of the Bible that narrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Once the prayer is finished, the family members engage in a round of hearty hugs and wish each other "¡Feliz Navidad!". The Christmas meal is usually served after this.
Pyrotechnics
Several weeks before Christmas Eve, the streets of the cities become populated with vendors of firecrackers and other pyrotechnical articles. Hondurans, especially children, will spend considerable amounts on money purchasing pyrotecnics. The amount of pyrotechnics set off (and the noise level) grows exponentially thought the Christmas season, reaching a a spectacular climax at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve. Sadly, this tradition is now endangered: the Honduran government has recently passed laws prohibiting the sale of pyrotechnic devices.
The "Guest of Honor" gets blown up!
A few days before 31st of December, the children and teenagers in the neighborhoods in the cities will fashion a life-size doll or mannequin of an old man, representing the year that is about to end: the "Año Viejo". The doll is fashioned from whatever materials the children can gather and dressed with old clothes collected from the neighbors and stuffed with as many pyrotechnical devices as possible. There are no guidelines, so each Año Viejo reflects the creativity of each "neighborhood team". Sometimes they are made to look like politicians or other famous (or rather infamous) public figures.
At the stroke of midnight of 31st of December, the Año Viejo is set alight, with all the pyrotechnics setting off in a loud and bright display that the neighbors gather around to see. This is echoed to spectacular effect throught the cities and towns, as each neighborhood will have its own Año Viejo.
The Año Viejo is meant symbolise of all the bad and forgettable events of the outgoing year. So, in a way, burning the Año Viejo is a symbolic "burning away" of bad memories. Also, it is simply great fun to watch!
The most representative traditional clothing in our country is the custom from Intibucá, better known as “manta" which still preserves European influence. While recognizing that our peasants do not wear these costumes today and now more than ever we can appreciate external influence.
Source:
http://www.tugentelatina.com/media/images/ImageManager/4/arte_y_cultura/trajes_tipicos_de_honduras/trajes-tipicos-de-honduras-5.jpg
Sawdust Carpets in Comayagua
Honduras gives special attention to the celebrations of Holy Week. In some regions of the country, such as Comayagua, Choluteca, Copán and Intibucá, processions are held, especially during Thursday and Holly Friday. Through these events, Hondurans commemorate the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for humanity by reenacting the events that happened during the week between Palm Sunday and Jesus Christ crucifixion.
The most outstanding event is the creation of the sawdust carpets. People decorate the trail where Jesus walks through (to his crucifixion) to make the walk less painful for Christ.
Source:
www.crafthubs.com
La Ceiba Carnival
La
Ceiba Carnival is one of the best events in Honduras, and each year, it
promises to be every bit as lively and popular as the prior celebrations. Once
again, this festival that revolves around the city’s patron saint will begin
with the election of the Carnival queen and will end with a large parade and
party along Avenida San Isidro. Wedged in between are various other
celebrations, the likes of which include small neighborhood carnivals, and
revelers can always take an interest in the Carnival rides that are set up at
the city fairgrounds.
The
carnival in La Ceiba is the biggest celebration of its kind in Central America.
Hundreds of thousands pour into town to enjoy the festivities. The main
celebration takes place in late May and includes a big parade that features
plenty of colorful characters. After this parade ends, thousands of revelers
remain in the streets and the city basically becomes one large street party.
Food and beverages are sold all night long, and partygoers can pick up
souvenirs on the side.
Source:
http://www.destination360.com/central-america/honduras/la-ceiba-carnival
Christmas
Christmas is perhaps the biggest celebration of the year for Hondurans. It is filled with religious meaning, as the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ is at heart of it. Christmas is celebrated at the stroke of midnight on the night of the 24th of December (as opposed to the 25th in other countries).
For Hondurans, Christmas is a very special and emotional occasion and it is important to spend it with the family. Just before midnight, the family will gather and pray together, which may include the reading of passages of the Bible that narrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Once the prayer is finished, the family members engage in a round of hearty hugs and wish each other "¡Feliz Navidad!". The Christmas meal is usually served after this.
Several weeks before Christmas Eve, the streets of the cities become populated with vendors of firecrackers and other pyrotechnical articles. Hondurans, especially children, will spend considerable amounts on money purchasing pyrotecnics. The amount of pyrotechnics set off (and the noise level) grows exponentially thought the Christmas season, reaching a a spectacular climax at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve. Sadly, this tradition is now endangered: the Honduran government has recently passed laws prohibiting the sale of pyrotechnic devices.
A few days before 31st of December, the children and teenagers in the neighborhoods in the cities will fashion a life-size doll or mannequin of an old man, representing the year that is about to end: the "Año Viejo". The doll is fashioned from whatever materials the children can gather and dressed with old clothes collected from the neighbors and stuffed with as many pyrotechnical devices as possible. There are no guidelines, so each Año Viejo reflects the creativity of each "neighborhood team". Sometimes they are made to look like politicians or other famous (or rather infamous) public figures.
At the stroke of midnight of 31st of December, the Año Viejo is set alight, with all the pyrotechnics setting off in a loud and bright display that the neighbors gather around to see. This is echoed to spectacular effect throught the cities and towns, as each neighborhood will have its own Año Viejo.
The Año Viejo is meant symbolise of all the bad and forgettable events of the outgoing year. So, in a way, burning the Año Viejo is a symbolic "burning away" of bad memories. Also, it is simply great fun to watch!
Source:
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