I sponsor a girl, Heidy, in Colombia and I loved this post!! Colombia has some totally unique Christmas traditions and festivals, so here are some of the most unique and unusual ones. Christmas in Colombia it is also a holiday period for schools. Christmas is a special time of year. While many countries await the arrival of Santa Claus bearing gifts for the kids, in Colombia, it’s a little different: children stay up until late on December 24 to receive presents delivered by…the Baby Jesus himself! She wrote that she loves the lights in the city and park and of course the presents. They are accompanied by fireworks. On television, they show some of these pranks, and even newspapers join in the fun by publishing funny stories. Delicious food, religious ceremonies and family games are just some of the historic components of Christmas traditions in Colombia. It is custom to eat one grape per chime and make a wish as you eat each grape. Welcoming Christmas with a bang in Medellin. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", Christmas time in Colombia | © Luz Adriana Villa / Flickr. Whatever the region or the ritual, you will surely love these Christmas tradition around the world.. Colombian folks have some very interesting Christmas traditions. These traditions are of particular importance around Christmas. Oh, I loved reading this! Christmas in Colombia is like no other. This is the noisiest night of the year! I sponsor a little lady in Colombia named Karen. These are cheese fritters made of cornstarch, butter and cheese. On December 28, the whole country celebrates the Day of the Innocents: people pull pranks, play practical jokes, and just generally try to amuse each other and themselves! Colombia is a country full of rich history and festive celebrations when the Christmas season rolls around. Colombia has its own Christmas traditions unique to each family as well as shared traditions celebrated regionally and nationally. This Catholic tradition continues to be an important Christmas tradition in Colombia. Fun though…. As a European expat family, we have never spent Christmas in Colombia. On the streets, they do colorful drawings. On New Years Eve it’s tradition to wear yellow underwear. Every December 7, families take to the streets to light hundreds of little candles, which are meant to light the way of the Virgin Mary as she comes to bless their home. Whether you are spending the holiday season in Colombia or simply want to learn more about the culture, this blog post will give you the details about all the food Music and Dance of Colombia If you visited the country of Colombia, you could hear a wide variety of music and see many different dances. I lived in Panama for 4 years growing up so had a little…, Hi Linn! That is very special and of course so is she. This article was originally published Dec 24, 2010. This specific blog focuses on present day Christmas celebrations in Colombia. Today's event is a celebration of Colombia's multicultural heritage [source: ProExport]. Meet Kenenisa. Colombia is a country rich in diversity; its society is made up of many ethnic groups, the largest being the mestizo population – a racial mix of European and native population. The tradition dates back to 1854 when Pope Pius IX declared the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary to … They are made of corn, wrapped in plantain leaves, and boiled. Not Convinced Your Letters Matter? Christmas carols, and enjoy traditional Christmas foods. We One of the funniest traditions are the aguinaldos, which are games that adults and children play, like Tres Pies. © 2021 Compassion International. Obviously, Christmas lights and nativity scenes are not particularly unusual or unique to Colombia. Customs across Colombia vary from region to region, but in general this is how people from this party-crazy country celebrate the festive season. Starbucks opened its 1000th store in Latin America, and the first in the city of Medellín, Colombia. Another Medellin Christmas tradition and a divisive one at that are the Alboradas – every December 1, to welcome the Christmas season, it’s traditional to blow up a tonne of fireworks throughout the city. How a Brave 12-Year-Old Girl Escaped From Forced Marriage, The Thoughtful Christmas Surprise That Relieved a Worried Mom, How These 4 Heroes Are Helping Kids Right Now, This is What Happens When You Send a Letter to the Child You Sponsor, 20 Photos That Capture How Awesome Children Are, The Top 5 Reasons These Kids Are Grateful Will Make You Grateful Too. In Colombia, they reserve the nine days before Christmas for prayer. If you've ever wondered who first decided to bring trees inside to celebrate Christmas, or where advent calendars come from, we've tracked some popular festive traditions – as Thank you for asking! You will see these glowing beacons lighting the streets of all Colombian towns and cities on this day. Offices and homes are decorated with lanterns and candles that welcome the holiday season. Aguinaldos is the name given to fun little games played by children and adults during the Christmas period. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. They decorate Christmas trees and the most important thing, the empty cradle where they place Baby Jesus on December 24. 8. On December 16 the novenas begin, a special moment of the day in which families, friends and neighbors join to pray on nine successive days, commemorating the birth of Jesus. Some people might think it seems a tad mean to have Baby Jesus delivering the presents – it is his birthday and all – but it’s an important Colombian Christmas tradition nonetheless. Christmas traditions vary all around the world, and celebrating Christmas outside your own country or away from your family can seem like an odd or even alien experience the first time you do it. All Rights Reserved. Are These the Most Inspirational Teen Girls in the World? Sadly, these hurricanes did impact many of the children and families that we serve.…. The city has banned the use of gunpowder now with stiff fines for anyone who is caught with it, but that doesn’t stop an… bunhuelos  /  Christmas  /  Colombia  /  culture and traditions  /  Roman Catholic  /  South America, im spanish and hispanic and i still dont know how they dressed 100 years ago on cristmas what a shame. On television, they show some of these pranks, and even newspapers join in the fun by publishing funny stories. Each player tries to put one foot in the middle of the feet of the other players without being noticed. Children in Colombia are deeply involved in the holiday traditions… Giving your house a spring clean on New Year's Eve in Colombia is thought to rid the house of negative energy Getty via Canva Bathing in the river Ridding any bad energy doesn’t stop at the house. The origin of this celebration was in 1854 when Pope Pius IX defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. You will find elaborate nativity scenes – sometimes complete with running water or real plants – in the lobby of most apartment buildings and hotels. During this special festivity, people sing Christmas carols, and read Bible verses, among other activities. The image of the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus are important figures, rather than Santa Claus. 7. Colombia isn't well known around the world for Colombian food and its cuisine. The Dia de las Velitas, or Day of the Little Candles, is how most Colombians welcome the Christmas season. We are an organization whose mission is to alleviate children from poverty and our blog is used to inform sponsor’s of cultural traditions in the countries in which we work. Like many people who left Colombia and have been in another country for a … In Colombia, the Christmas celebrations get started earlier than in most places with El Día de las Velitas (the Day of the Little Candles) on December 7. Officially, Christmas traditions in Colombia begin on December 7 when Colombian people celebrate El Día de las Velitas, or Day of the Little Candles. Every December 7, families take to the streets to light hundreds of little candles, which are meant to light the way of the Virgin Mary as she comes to bless their home. 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