Traditions
The Hispanic culture is rich with traditions originating from all over the different Spanish-speaking countries. Many of the traditions stem from the Catholic religion which is a pretty dominant faith in the Hispanic culture. Some of these traditions can be witnessed in North America today and some traditions have even been adopted by other cultures. Listed below are a few common traditions celebrated within the Hispanic culture along with brief descriptions. ("Hispanic Traditions..," 2015)
Quince Años
Quince Años is a popular celebration in most Latin countries and is celebrated by many Hispanic Americans today. This celebration is also called Fiesta Quinceañera, Quinces, or Fiesta Rosa and it celebrates a girl's journey into womanhood on her fifteenth birthday. The Quince Años celebration incorporates God, family, friends, food, music, and dance. The young girl celebrating, also called La Quinceañera, gets to wear a tiara and a beautiful ball gown. She also gets to choose a "Court" of family and friends to participate in certain activities and special dances. Many Hispanic Americans continue to celebrate the Quince Años tradition in the U.S. and some have started to embrace the American tradition of a Sweet Sixteen.
Las Mañanitas
Las Mañanitas is a traditional birthday song of Mexican origin. It is usually sang to the birthday boy or girl the morning of his/her birthday. Below are the Spanish lyrics followed by an English translation:
"Las Mañanitas"
Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey David,
Hoy por ser día de tu santo*, te las cantamos a ti,
Despierta, mi bien**, despierta, mira que ya amaneció,
Ya los pajarillos cantan, la luna ya se metió.
Que linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarte,
Venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte,
El día en que tu naciste nacieron todas las flores,
En la pila del bautismo, cantaron los ruiseñores,
Ya viene amaneciendo, ya la luz del día nos dió,
Levántate de mañana, mira que ya amaneció.
Translation
This is the morning song that King David sang,
Because today is your saint's day* we're singing it for you,
Wake up, my dear**, wake up, look it is already dawn,
The birds are already singing and the moon has set,
How lovely is the morning in which I come to greet you,
We all came with joy and pleasure to congratulate you,
The day you were born all the flowers were born,
On the baptismal font the nightingales sang,
The morning is coming now, the sun is giving us its light,
Get up in the morning, look it is already dawn.
Las Piñatas
Piñatas are decorated ornaments typically made from cardboard or clay and embellished with papier-mâchè. These ornaments can be filled with treats, confetti, and small toys. Children can break open a piñata by hitting it with some kind of stick or they are now ornaments that have strings attached that you can pull to release the treats. Piñatas are typically seen at birthday parties, but they may also be found at other celebrations.
El Dìa de los Muertos
El Dìa de los Muertos or "Day of the Dead" is a tradition that is celebrated in most Spanish-Speaking countries. This day takes place on November 2nd because that is the Catholic holiday of "All Souls Day." Dìa de los Muertos is a day where people celebrate the lives of the loved ones that have passed away. On this day they set up altars with pictures of the deceased, food, flowers, etc. They may also visit the grave sites of their loved ones and place flowers and decorations there as well. Although it is "the day of the dead," the tradition celebrates life and is a happy, eventful day.
Christmas Traditions
The dominant religion in the Hispanic culture is Catholicism and so Christmastime is full of different festivities and customs. Some common customs are:
Quince Años is a popular celebration in most Latin countries and is celebrated by many Hispanic Americans today. This celebration is also called Fiesta Quinceañera, Quinces, or Fiesta Rosa and it celebrates a girl's journey into womanhood on her fifteenth birthday. The Quince Años celebration incorporates God, family, friends, food, music, and dance. The young girl celebrating, also called La Quinceañera, gets to wear a tiara and a beautiful ball gown. She also gets to choose a "Court" of family and friends to participate in certain activities and special dances. Many Hispanic Americans continue to celebrate the Quince Años tradition in the U.S. and some have started to embrace the American tradition of a Sweet Sixteen.
Las Mañanitas
Las Mañanitas is a traditional birthday song of Mexican origin. It is usually sang to the birthday boy or girl the morning of his/her birthday. Below are the Spanish lyrics followed by an English translation:
"Las Mañanitas"
Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey David,
Hoy por ser día de tu santo*, te las cantamos a ti,
Despierta, mi bien**, despierta, mira que ya amaneció,
Ya los pajarillos cantan, la luna ya se metió.
Que linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarte,
Venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte,
El día en que tu naciste nacieron todas las flores,
En la pila del bautismo, cantaron los ruiseñores,
Ya viene amaneciendo, ya la luz del día nos dió,
Levántate de mañana, mira que ya amaneció.
Translation
This is the morning song that King David sang,
Because today is your saint's day* we're singing it for you,
Wake up, my dear**, wake up, look it is already dawn,
The birds are already singing and the moon has set,
How lovely is the morning in which I come to greet you,
We all came with joy and pleasure to congratulate you,
The day you were born all the flowers were born,
On the baptismal font the nightingales sang,
The morning is coming now, the sun is giving us its light,
Get up in the morning, look it is already dawn.
Las Piñatas
Piñatas are decorated ornaments typically made from cardboard or clay and embellished with papier-mâchè. These ornaments can be filled with treats, confetti, and small toys. Children can break open a piñata by hitting it with some kind of stick or they are now ornaments that have strings attached that you can pull to release the treats. Piñatas are typically seen at birthday parties, but they may also be found at other celebrations.
El Dìa de los Muertos
El Dìa de los Muertos or "Day of the Dead" is a tradition that is celebrated in most Spanish-Speaking countries. This day takes place on November 2nd because that is the Catholic holiday of "All Souls Day." Dìa de los Muertos is a day where people celebrate the lives of the loved ones that have passed away. On this day they set up altars with pictures of the deceased, food, flowers, etc. They may also visit the grave sites of their loved ones and place flowers and decorations there as well. Although it is "the day of the dead," the tradition celebrates life and is a happy, eventful day.
Christmas Traditions
The dominant religion in the Hispanic culture is Catholicism and so Christmastime is full of different festivities and customs. Some common customs are:
- Las Posadas: re-enactments of when baby Jesus was born
- Los farolitos y luminarias: the Day of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated by lighting lanterns and candles
- Los villancicos de Navidad: Christmas carols
- La Carta al niño dios: children write letters to baby Jesus
- La cena de noche buena: family dinner on Christmas eve; each country has a different food that is important for this celebration
- La misa de gallo: midnight mass