The Fiesta
Mexico
THE FIESTA
A fiesta is a celebration. Most fiestas are observances of religious holidays. Other festivals mark national historic holidays. Mexico has more fiestas
than any other Latin American country.
Most villages have local fiestas in addition to the national celebrations.
Many fiestas are lively, colorful
celebrations, but some of the celebrations are more serious ceremonies. Most
fiestas last one or two days. However,
some fiestas can last up to a week.
The fiesta usually happens
around the church or main plaza. A fiesta often includes open-air markets, folk dances,
colorful costumes, decorations, flowers, parades, and fireworks. Music and dancing are
always an important part of any fiesta. Fiestas also include a variety of special food and
drink.
The pinata is often the children's most popular part of a fiesta. It is a colorful container filled with candy, toys, and money. Blindfolded children take turns swinging at a
pinata suspended by a rope. When the pinata breaks, the children scramble to gather the
presents. Originally pihatas were made from clay pots. Today, most pihatas are papermache
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12 is an important celebration.
The main fiesta is in Mexico City. However, Mexicans celebrate the holiday throughout the
nation. The fiesta celebrates the day the Virgin Mary made an appearance to an Indian
peasant. Many make a pilgrimage to her church, the Basilica of the Virgin. Celebrations
begin with traditional songs and dances the evening before. Many Christmas activities
begin at this celebration.
Feliz Navidad is Spanish for Merry Christmas. Mexicans celebrate in many of the
same ways as in the rest of the world. Celebrations include presents, holiday decorations,
special foods, Christmas songs, and religious ceremonies. Las Posada is the main Christmas celebration. Spanish missionaries brought the celebration to Mexico. The poinsettia,
the traditional Christmas flower, originally came from Mexico.
The most important festival of the year is a somber celebration. It is the Day of the
Dead, in which the spirits of the dead are honored. The Spanish introduced the ceremony
into Mexico. The celebration also blends in ancient Aztec beliefs. October 31 is muertitos
chicos, the day for the souls of dead children to return. They believe adult souls return the
following night. The main flower used for decoration is the marigold, because the Aztecs
believed the marigold was sacred to the dead.
People leave a feast out for the dead. They bake special breads in human forms
and in the shape of skulls. They believe the dead eat the spirit of the food. The living then
eat the food the following day in remembrance of the dead.
Often, people keep an all-night candlelight vigil in the town cemetery, and families
gather at the graves of relatives.
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The Fiesta
Mexico
Name
Date
Questions for Consideration
1. What is a fiesta?
2. Which Latin American country has the most fiestas?
3. How long do most fiestas last?
4. Where do most fiestas happen?
5. What is a pinata?
6. Where is the main celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe held?
7. When is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe?
8. What does Feliz Navidad mean?
9. What Christmas flower comes from Mexico?
10. What is the most important festival in Mexico?
11. What flower did the Aztecs believe was sacred to the dead?
12. Where do families gather for the candlelight vigil?
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